Released in 1981, George Miller's follow-up to 'Mad Max' hit theaters. 'Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior' follows Mel Gibson's Max Rockatansky character as he helps defend a community of settlers in a future post-apocalyptic landscape from a group of criminals and savages. With the new film 'Mad Max: Fury Road' on the way, we thought it would be fun to take a look back at the cast of this classic sequel and see what they're up to 32 years later.

Mel Gibson, Max Rockatansky

Warner Bros./Getty Images
Warner Bros./Getty Images
loading...

Then: Mel Gibson reprised the role of "Mad" Max Rockatansky in 'Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior.' The original 'Mad Max' film gave Gibson his big Hollywood breakthrough.

Now: Gibson went on to gain notoriety for his role in the 'Lethal Weapon' series. He appears in the upcoming films 'Machete Kills' and 'The Expendables 3,' and has a rumored cameo in 'Mad Max: Fury Road.'

Bruce Spence, the Gyro Captain

Warner Bros./Getty Images
Warner Bros./Getty Images
loading...

Then: Bruce Spence played the Gyro Captain, a traveler who decides to help Max protect the settlers from the band of outlaws.

Now: Spence had a recurring role on the TV series 'Legend of the Seeker,' and has appeared in the films 'Queen of the Damned,' Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith,' and 'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.' Spence can be seen next in the film 'I, Frankenstein.'

Emil Minty, Feral Kid

Warner Bros./Twitter
Warner Bros./Twitter
loading...

Then: As the feral kid in 'Mad Max 2,' child actor Emil Minty had no lines throughout the entirety of the film.

Now: Though he had small parts in movies and TV shows in the '80s and early '90s, Minty retired from acting at an early age. He currently owns and operates a fine jewelry shop in Australia.

Virginia Hey, Warrior Woman

Warner Bros./Getty Images
Warner Bros./Getty Images
loading...

Then: Virginia Hey made her big-screen debut as Warrior Woman, an Amazonian-like woman who helps protect the settlers.

Now: Hey is known well for playing Pa'u Zotoh Zhaan on the 'Farscape' TV series from 1999 to 2002. She has also appeared on episodes of 'Flipper' and 'Home and Away.' Hey started a company called White Flower Lei that manufactures and distributes perfumes and soaps.

Vernon Wells, Wez

Warner Bros./Getty Images
Warner Bros./Getty Images
loading...

Then: Vernon Wells played Wez, the right-hand man of the villainous Humungus, known for his signature mohawk.

Now: Wells went on to appear in the films 'Commando' and 'Innerspace,' and has recently popped up in the films 'Green Street 2: Stand Your Ground' and 'Silent Night, Zombie Night.'

More From ScreenCrush