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George Miller's first choice for the starring role of Max Rockatansky, was the Irish-born James Healey, his family moved to Manchester, England before emigrating to Melbourne, Australia in 1970. He studied acting at both NIDA (Sydney) and RADA (London). While residing in Australia, he acted in the television police procedural Homicide in guest roles since 1975 and 1976. After that role, he worked at a Melbourne abattoir, while pursuing his theatrical film debut. Upon reading the script given to him, Healey declined the role of the strong but taciturn character, finding the lead's meager and terse dialogue too unappealing for his vocal acting performance.
Most of the extras used in the film were paid in beer.
The "get-out-of-jail-free card" that Goose gives the triker was an on-set joke. Because of the limited budget, the biker gang was an actual biker gang (the Vigilantes), and they had to ride to the set each day in-costume; often with their prop weapons displayed. Since the production company expected them to be pulled over by the local police, each was given a letter explaining the film's peculiar requirements, and asking for law-enforcement's understanding and cooperation.
Tim Burns (Johnny the Boy) was so into character that he annoyed everyone on-set, and was abandoned one day during lunch while handcuffed to the wreck.
Some of the things Nightrider yells over the radio are lyrics from the AC/DC songs "Rocker" and "Live Wire."
James McCausland: The bearded man wearing an apron in front of the roadside diner watching the police cyclists and tow trucks drive away is the film's co-writer.