Quaden Bayles, a young actor who was bullied for his achondroplasia dwarfism, has been cast in the George Miller's anticipated Mad Max: Fury Road prequel starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth and Yahya Abdul-Mateen.
Two years ago, a video of the then nine-year-old Bayles went viral when his mother Yarraka Bayles started a Facebook Live. "Give me a knife, I want to kill myself," the boy sobbed in her car, having endured torment from his schoolmates that day for his disability. "I've just picked my son up from school, witnessed a bullying episode, rang the principal, and I want people to know - parents, educators, teachers - this is the effect that bullying has," she pleaded. There was an outpouring of love and support for the boy, from famous faces to individuals who had sympathised with Bayles' struggle.
Here's the trailer for Thor: Love and Thunder:
However, the viral video had an unexpected effect. Director George Miller contacted the Bayleses about Quaden starring in his movie Three Thousand Years of Longing, and the boy impressed Miller so much that he has now been cast in Furiosa too. This could be the start of a fruitful career for Bayles - I mean, being just 11 years old and calling Anya Taylor Joy and Chris Hemsworth your "colleagues" is an enviable achievement.
"Can’t wait to watch on the big screen next year," said Bayles on Instagram, posting a screenshot of the movie's confirmed cast, and fans shared their joy for the actor. "Congrats Quaden. You are such a wonderful young man," said one. "Knowing [you're] in it, ITS GONNA BE LIT!!!!" added another. Furiosa comes to cinemas 24 May, 2024.
Featured Image Credit: Quaden Bayles via Instagram, DisneyTopics: TV And Film