Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Walking ᴅᴇᴀᴅ: Daryl Dixon season 3, episode 5, “Limbo”.Tom Hardy seemed like a huge risk when he took over from Mel Gibson and led the Mad Max movie franchise, yet he managed to blow all expectations out of the water. Not only did he slip into the role seamlessly, but Mad Max: Fury Road is arguably the best of the series, suggesting Hardy was a great get.

That said, it has been a decade since the actor’s one and only appearance, and if the action IP is searching for a new lead man, I think I’ve found the perfect replacement. There is no guarantee Mad Max 5 will even happen after Furiosa‘s box office disappointment, but the spinoff film still managed to maintain the quality audiences have come to expect.

Even if the franchise isn’t quite as lucrative as it once was, there is clearly still some interest, especially since Hollywood continues to regularly produce Mad Max ripoffs. Therefore, a fifth mainline movie feels inevitable, and there is only one man who can step in for Hardy, ᴀssuming the next installment decides to go for a fresh face.

Norman Reedus Would Be Perfect As Max Rockatansky

Norman Reedus has been part of major productions for several decades, but he deserves the opportunity to lead a huge blockbuster franchise, and Max Rockatansky feels like the perfect fit for him. Naturally, his performance as Daryl Dixon in The Walking ᴅᴇᴀᴅ is excellent preparation for such a role, as like Max, he fights to survive.

Both Max and Daryl have softer sides while also having dry humor, but while Daryl is a little more reserved and idealistic, Max is more unhinged and pragmatic. Still, Reedus’ displays in The Bikeriders and The Boondock Saints are proof he can lean into that more crazed side needed for the world of Mad Max.

He has even leaned into a slightly more villainous side as Daryl Dixon in The Walking ᴅᴇᴀᴅ, proving he can capture Max’s moral complexity alongside his brutality. One of Reedus’ greatest strengths is his acting chops, and his history of wielding various types of weapons while nailing different styles of choreography suggests he’d be right at home as Max Rockatansky.

Some may argue the actor is a little old to portray the character, while others may claim he doesn’t quite have the right build to play The Road Warrior. However, his skills and experience with this type of role indicate that Reedus would quickly overcome these concerns and provide a unique adaptation of the iconic action star.

Daryl Dixon Season 3’s Spanish Desert Is Basically Mad Max

Daryl Dixon season 3 has taken The Walking ᴅᴇᴀᴅ to Spain for the first time, and the country’s deserts feel just like Mad Max. The post-apocalyptic setting already draws comparisons, but Daryl’s spinoff show featured bandits riding motorcycles who steal supplies from others, and you don’t have to look very far to see where it got its inspiration.

The motorcycle chase sequence is one thing, but Daryl Dixon season 3’s newest villains also look like characters taken straight out of Mad Max, and much of episode 5 felt like a tribute to the beloved movie series. With Daryl fighting for his life while helping a less fortunate group, it definitely felt like he was channeling his inner Max Rockatansky.

Unfortunately, the episode appears to be a one-off adventure for The Walking ᴅᴇᴀᴅ since Daryl is currently heading to Barcelona, but seeing Reedus going to war with bandits out in the wasteland was extremely fun, and it acted as the perfect audition if he does happen to be interested in leading Mad Max 5.

Tom Hardy Isn’t Guaranteed To Appear In Mad Max 5 (If It Even Happens)

While Tom Hardy hasn’t officially left the Mad Max franchise, there is also no guarantee he’ll appear in the fifth mainline movie. The actor has been in high demand since 2015, appearing in numerous high-profile projects, meaning it wouldn’t be a sure thing that he’d find the time to take up the mantle of Max Rockatansky once again, which Furiosa proved.

Although Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga struggled at the box office, the reception was positive, providing everything critics and general audiences wanted to see, including a Max cameo. However, despite only appearing for less than a minute, Tom Hardy didn’t play him. Instead, the actor’s stunt-double, Jacob Tomuri, filled in during his unexplained absence.

The fact that Tomrui portrayed the character could be a good sign, as it means Hardy may still be the first choice for Mad Max 5 but was simply too busy to feature. Likewise, the studio may have felt it wasn’t necessary to budget for the Hollywood star, given the cameo was a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it scene.

In contrast, it’s possible that Hardy is no longer interested in the Fury Road sequel despite expressing his interest in 2017, meaning Tomuri’s presence may have simply been down to the studio not finding a replacement yet. Whatever the case, getting Hardy back would be great, but with no confirmation about Mad Max 5‘s cast, his future remains uncertain.

Mad Max 5 Would Continue Reedus’ Hollywood Push After Ballerina

ᴀssuming Reedus were to replace Hardy heading into Mad Max 5, the casting would continue his Hollywood push following Ballerina‘s success. Like Furiosa, the John Wick spinoff struggled financially, but it was a huge hit among viewers and critics, with Norman Reedus’ Pine being a standout character whenever he was on-screen.

Expectedly, The Walking ᴅᴇᴀᴅ star has had plenty of substantial movie roles in the past, but this was the first time in a while he’d been part of such a mainstream action series on the big screen. Still, he looked perfectly at home in Ballerina and coped with the gritty tone and unique style of combat seamlessly.

Therefore, seeing him go from a supporting role to the main star of two major franchises in the space of a few years would give Reedus the attention he deserves, and while I’d be more than happy for Hardy to reprise his role as Max in Mad Max 5, Reedus is the only name I want to see replace him.