Charlize Theron's new film role scares her ''s**tless''.

The Oscar-winning actress, who is due to star in George Miller's remake of 'Mad Max' opposite Tom Hardy, can't wait to start filming the much-anticipated project, despite being terrified at the prospect.

The 36-year-old beauty told Collider.com: ''I feel like the original 'Mad Max' created such a vivid world, that to go back and re-imagine it and kind of replay in that sandbox sounds like fun to me.

''George really created a female character that I've never read anything like this. I mean, I'm scared sh**less!

''I'm very excited about it; I'm f*****g dying! It's been three years; it's time to skin this cat already!''

Charlize - who currently stars in summer blockbusters 'Snow White and the Hunstman' and 'Prometheus' - also explained the challenge of working on a ''revamped'' remake of the 1978 original was appealing.

She said: ''It's a really challenging piece of material. I think for me originally when they were like, 'Oh, 'Mad Max.'' I was like: 'Uh, I'm not going to play the f*****g girl for 'Mad Max.'' Then I read it and I was like, 'Oh, 'Mad Max.' I feel sorry for you.'

''That rarely happens. It's just really, it's two great characters. It's not the original 'Mad Max.' It's the revamped 'Mad Max.' It's Tom Hardy, who's incredible. So, the whole thing is just exciting, very, very exciting.''

Filming for 'Mad Max: Road Fury' is due to start in mid-July in Nambia.