Mel Gibson makes surprise appearance at Mad Max premiere

George Miller,Tom Hardy and Mel Gibson arrives at the Mad Max: Fury Road. Photo / Getty Images

The original Mad Max has made a surprise appearance at the Los Angeles premiere of the hell-bent film franchise's newest release.

Mel Gibson arrived at the first screening of Mad Max: Fury Road film in the US, posing for snaps alongside Tom Hardy, who plays the quiet but dangerous title character in the new film.

Actors Mel Gibson and Tom Hardy attend the premiere Mad Max: Fury Road. Photo / Getty Images

And just like his character in the first three films of Australian filmmaker George Miller's Max Max franchise, Gibson was wearing a leather jacket.

Charlize Theron, who stars in Fury Road as a crew cut commander with a robotic arm, also walked the red carpet at the premiere with her partner Sean Penn.

The film has garnered much anticipation because of the outlandish vehicles, explosive stunts and strange, dystopian desert setting glimpsed in the trailers.

Mad Max: Fury Road will make its Australian premiere next week at Event Cinemas in Sydney, although there will be none of its major stars in tow.

Actors Charlize Theron and Sean Penn. Photo / Getty Images

Only local talent will front up in Sydney, including model Megan Gale who plays Valkyrie, Nathan Jones (Rictus Erectus) and Hugh Keays-Byrne (Immortan Joe).

• Mad Max: Fury Road releases in New Zealand on May 14.

- AAP