In the Mad Max franchise, the exact timing of the apocalypse, also known as the “nuclear exchange,” is not explicitly stated in the films themselves. However, there are some references and additional materials that provide some insights into the timeline.
According to George Miller, the creator and director of the Mad Max series, the original timeline suggested that the nuclear exchange occurred after the events of Mad Max 2 (also known as The Road Warrior). This would mean that Max’s world had already descended into chaos and post-apocalyptic madness by the time we meet him in the second film.
However, in the 2015 prequel comic books titled “Mad Max: Fury Road – Nux & Immortan Joe,” the war is said to have occurred after Max Rockatansky’s encounter with the Toecutter’s road-gang in the first film. Max then disappears into the Outback, and it is during this time that the nuclear exchange takes place. This timeline places the events of the war before the events of The Road Warrior, which contradicts the original suggestion by George Miller.
It’s worth noting that the Mad Max films are not known for their strict adherence to continuity and chronology. The series is more focused on the character of Max and the world he inhabits, rather than a linear narrative. Each film can be seen as a standalone story set in the same post-apocalyptic universe.
The lack of a definitive timeline allows for interpretation and speculation, which can be both exciting and frustrating for fans. Some prefer to see the films as separate stories with their own timelines, while others try to piece together a cohesive chronology based on the available information.
In the end, the Mad Max series is more about the journey of Max Rockatansky and the themes of survival, redemption, and the human condition in a desolate world. The exact timing of the apocalypse, while intriguing, is not the primary focus of the films.
It’s important to remember that the Mad Max universe is a work of fiction, and the creators intentionally leave certain details open to interpretation. This allows fans to engage with the story in their own way and imagine different scenarios or timelines within the post-apocalyptic setting.
While there are different sources and interpretations regarding the timing of the apocalypse in the Mad Max series, the exact timeline is not explicitly defined within the films themselves. The franchise’s focus is more on the character of Max and the world he inhabits, rather than a strict chronology of events.