Seven years after Mad Max: Fury Road, George Miller returns to Cannes with Three Thousand Years of Longing, a romance threaded through fantasy, starring Tilda Swinton and Idris Elba. This film stands in stark contrast to Miller’s epic action favorite, grounding its magic in a narrative that feels almost tangible and anchored in reality, while still celebrating the power of stories to reshape lives.
Adapted from a tale in a British anthology by AS Byatt, the project resurfaced after years in limbo. It premiered out of competition and is slated for a United States release at the end of August, with a Spanish rollout on September 2. The cinematic event was framed as a revelation, a reminder of how literature can translate into a visually lush cinematic experience.
“It caught me by surprise when I read it, and it has lingered ever since,” the filmmaker shared during a Cannes press conference, signaling that the story remains central even as Miller eyes the next frontier of his Mad Max universe. He offered a cautious note about Furiosa, the upcoming prequel project, saying only that it is in development and that discussions continue around how the film will unfold for audiences.
Three Thousand Years of Longing revisits the classic trope of the genie in a bottle, but reimagined for contemporary sensibilities. The narrative follows Alithea, portrayed by Swinton, a scholar who travels to Istanbul for a conference and discovers an ancient bottle at a flea market. When she frees the genie, Idris Elba’s character, the old-world spirit of myth, grants three wishes—but she chooses to listen first, letting the stories of the genie’s past unravel around her as a means to understand the true cost and purpose of desire.
What the film appears to emphasize is the human urge to tell, hear, and interpret stories. Alithea’s restraint becomes a catalyst for the genie’s own self-discovery, blurring the line between fantasy and reality. Miller noted that Byatt’s selection was driven by a sense of authenticity—an impression that a fantasy tale could feel startlingly real if presented with the right emotional honesty. The director stressed that the intention is to transport viewers to another world while keeping their feet planted in recognizably human experiences.
Swinton and Miller’s collaboration began at a Cannes gathering five years prior. The actress recalled recognizing the director in the room and recounting how their conversation evolved into a shared creative journey. A year later, Miller sent her the script, and their relationship matured into a creative partnership that would bring this character-driven film to life. Swinton described the project as intimate and profound, noting that its scale emerges from the dialogue between two characters rather than a sprawling spectacle.
Elba, long associated with high-profile screen roles and a forthright presence, described his casting as a pivotal moment. He admitted feeling overwhelmed by the opportunity to inhabit a figure who embodies both myth and vulnerability. His interpretation of the genie moves beyond traditional heroism, portraying a creature who must confront the limits of his own craft when faced with the moral weight of Alithea’s questions. He suggested the character’s growth stems from a willingness to grow beyond familiar tricks and to embrace bravery in the face of uncertainty.
As the conversation about power and storytelling unfolds, Miller suggested that stories thrive when they admit multiple meanings and interpretations. Swinton added that the danger lies in a single, controlling narrative, a sentiment that resonates with audiences amid a media landscape that can prematurely fixate on a single viewpoint. The film invites viewers to explore different versions of the same moment, encouraging curiosity rather than conclusions.
In its essence, Three Thousand Years of Longing invites a dialogue about desire, memory, and the weight of what we choose to believe. It invites us to consider how a tale travels across cultures and eras, morphing as it passes from one listener to another. The interplay between Alithea’s measured skepticism and the genie’s centuries of experience forms the emotional core of the film, offering a thoughtful meditation on human longing and the stories we tell to make sense of it all.
The Cannes presentation underscored Miller’s enduring interest in myths that speak to contemporary concerns. It remains to be seen how audiences will respond to this intimate, story-driven work in parallel with the director’s blockbuster legacy. Yet the film’s premise—an exchange between two people where the stakes are philosophical as much as emotional—promises a distinctive cinematic experience that lingers well after the final frame. The project continues Miller’s exploration of how myth and memory intersect, shaping our sense of self and the world we share.