Hollywood is going to make a film version of Atlas Shrugged. After 50 years?
By ladyluna
@ladyluna (7004)
United States
April 3, 2009 7:57am CST
Hello All,
Is this an example of greed trumping political conviction?
Imagine my surprise to read the Hollywood Reporter claim that Hollyweird is planning on finally producing a film version of the wildly prescient Ayn Rand novel, "Atlas Shrugged". Hollywood and Rand; seems like very strange bedfellows, doesn't it?
Below is the link to the coverage of this news.
http://www.riskybusinessblog.com/2009/03/with-atlas-shrugged-hollywood-may-have-its-first-antibailout-movie.html
At least for the time being, the $64K question may shift from "Who is John Galt?" to "Who will play John Galt?"
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[b]What do you think?
What do you think of the proposed starlettes for the role of Dagny Taggart: Angelina Jolie, Charlize Theron, Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway? Any ideas about who might be a better Dagny?
Is a little Hollywood hypocrisy justifiable as long as 'the message gets out there"?
Do you think that Hollywood can do this novel justice?
Also, if you open the link one has to wonder: Why is there a picture of Barney Frank splattered smack dab in the middle of the story??? Should Barney play a Shrugged character, or inspire a certain character? [/b]
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[i]"Rand’s popular but polarizing book — it’s derided by many literary critics but has a huge public following — tells the story of Dagny Taggart, a railroad executive trying to keep her corporation competitive in the face of what she perceives as a lack of innovation and individual responsibility.
A number of stars have expressed serious interest in playing the lead role of Taggart. Angelina Jolie previously had been reported as a candidate to play the strong female character, but the list is growing and now includes Charlize Theron, Julia Roberts and Anne Hathaway."[/i]
http://www.riskybusinessblog.com/2009/03/with-atlas-shrugged-hollywood-may-have-its-first-antibailout-movie.html
And, if you have no familarity with the Atlas Shrugged phenomenon, you can get a brief character/plot analysis from the link below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_characters_in_Atlas_Shrugged
3 people like this
10 responses
@redyellowblackdog (10629)
• United States
3 Apr 09
Hollywood is about show business, with the emphasis on business. Someone must feel ATLAS SHRUGGED would make a profit. That's all it would take to get the movie made. Don't be surprised if the strong independent characters come across has cold hearted and really the bad guys of the story. It would not take much spin.
Remember the movie, PATTON, with George C. Scott? I heard it was made with the idea of showing Patton as a loon. (Which by the way, has some justification). Little did Hollywood realize they helped to make a folk hero out of a man history was starting to forget. Anyway, ATLAS SHRUGGED could be made with the idea to show Rand's ideas as foolish or looney, too.
2 people like this
@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
3 Apr 09
Hello Red,
Oh dear, you're so right -- the possible hatchet job is really pretty distressing. Though, if Hollywood decides to go through with making the movie, it sounds as though the Rand estate will have a say in the film. I have zero question that if the goal is to warp Ms. Rand's philosophy, that the estate will yank the option, and pay any financial penalty.
1 person likes this
@Destiny007 (5805)
• United States
3 Apr 09
I never read the book, so had to go with the short description provided.
Why Barney Frank?... I would say that he is the best representation of what is wrong in America.
He is what I consider to be a prime example of the corruption and mismanagement that has reduced our economy to it's present state. It is because of his interference in efforts to regulate Freddie and Fannie that the economic meltdown occurred ihn the first place, so my question would be why not Barney Frank.
As Hollywood has consistently been increasingly pro socialist, even to the point of being pro communist, I find this endeavor to be hypocritical in the extreme, and from my limited understanding of the book, even under the best circumstances the movie will not do the book justice, as movies never do.
I further have doubts that the message is not going to be delivered, if anything, the message will be lost in the confusion, as the screen writers struggle between their socialist agenda and the actual contents of the book.
As to what actor plays which part, I am not sure how that is even relevant, as actors merely read from a script.
As to this being an anti-bailout movie, I strongly suspect that the bailouts will be excused as being necessary. Anything less would upset the current monarchy as he desperately tries to get his crown to fit right after his recent usurpation and purchase of his current political position.
Anyhow, that's the way I see it.
1 person likes this
@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
3 Apr 09
Hello Destiny,
This year is the 50th anniversary of the publication of Atlas Shrugged. As such it is growing a whole new fan base. Perhaps you will be among that new base.
I would urge you to open the link below and read the Balwin's commitment to 'doing it right'. I was much more heartened after reading this. 'Course, it was a while ago, and the rights to produce the movie are ticking away. Perhaps there is a visionary difference between the Baldwin's and Lions Gate???
http://www.objectivistcenter.org/cth-13-1741-Summer_Seminar_Atlas_Shrugged_film.aspx
1 person likes this
@Destiny007 (5805)
• United States
3 Apr 09
Well, that will teach me about skimming through an article.
Upon reading through that link more carefully the second time around, I did see that Baldwin shares the views of Ayn Rand.
That would suggest that a better version than I originally thought will result.
We sure could use a bit of reality these days, instead of the worshipful admiration for the 0bamunist and his policies that are some rampant.
As for Frank... given my limited knowledge of the book... and my much better knowledge of Frank, I would say that he is a prime example of the book's villain... as he is such a good example in real life.
Him and his cronies are long overdue for a long enforced vacation.
1 person likes this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
4 Apr 09
The only Ayn Rand film I have seen was just fantastic, so that one will be a hard act to follow (The Fountainhead) and of course they will be hard-pressed to find anybody who could begin to compete with Gary Cooper's sizzling performance in 1949.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
3 Apr 09
It's been years since I read the novel-for the third time!-and I've been meaning to read it again, along with "We the Living" "The Fountainhead" and "Anthem". I love all those books and they are so appropriate in these times.
I would like to see unknowns play the characters. If you have a well known face playing Dagny or Galt, you'll have preconceived notions of how the character should be. Fresh, unknown actors should be cast in the roles. Otherwise they'll insert scenes that were never in the book or change one to accommodate what the audience expects of the the actor. I hate it when they do that. I hope they don't ruin the story, Hollywood is so good at that.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
3 Apr 09
I agree. Amazon.com has been selling a lot of copies of Atlas Shrugged in the past couple of months. And it's still around #180 on the NY Times best seller list, pretty good for a book that old!
1 person likes this
@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
3 Apr 09
Hello Egdcltd,
The Hollywood Reporter was similarly concerned. Some have suggested that the film be made in three parts, like The Lord of the Rings trilogy requirement to adequately cover Tolkein's Hobbit tale.
The link explains that Hollywood explored making this movie many years ago, with Faye Dunnaway and Clint Eastwood in the leading roles.
Clint as Galt? Wow!
1 person likes this
@Ima_C_Suvaya (431)
• United States
4 Apr 09
I think any of the actors/actresses mentioned (except Lohan) would be good choices. They act as a living. I'm sure if Angelina Jolie can pretend to be a 'Tomb Raider', she can also pretend to be a smart, hard driving,industrialist. As far as the message goes. I'm more worried about who does the screenwriting, editing, and direction. Those billets are what could really ruin what could be one of the best movies ever.
1 person likes this
@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
6 Apr 09
Hello Ima_C_Suvaya,
I believe that reading the below link will help to assuage your concerns. I was similarly concerned about the integrity of the work, that is until I read about how committed the Baldwins are.
http://www.objectivistcenter.org/cth-13-1741-Summer_Seminar_Atlas_Shrugged_film.aspx
1 person likes this
@gewcew23 (8007)
• United States
3 Apr 09
I am somewhat nervous about this but maybe Hollywood will not mutilate the theme of the book. Hollywood helped empower mooches by helping get looters elected. I have no problem with Barney Frank inspiring a character, Hank Rearden's brother Philip Rearden, Hank Reardens's Washington Lobbyist Wesley Mouch , or Dagny's worthless brother James Taggart. I would like to see Anne Hathaway play Dagny, if I find out that some producer wants to use some HollyLib nutjob like Julia Roberts blood might shoot out of my eyes. Oh by the way I would like Tom Selleck to play Hank Rearden and Sam Elliot as Dan Conway. What do you think?
1 person likes this
@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
3 Apr 09
Hello Gewcew,
I'm a mix of excited and nervous.
As for Barney Frank, I immediately thought of James Taggart as well. I wonder if Barney's picture was intentionally included on the story page?
Tom Selleck? Gotta' love Tom Selleck, though I haven't seen him lately. Can he still pull if off?
I'll admit that I really like Dragon's suggestion that at least the leading roles be played by unknowns. Perhaps the best compromise is to cast all of the secondary characters with big name stars, and let the leading roles be cast with fresh faces. If this is done right, it will present the Dagney/Galt talent with an opportunity of a lifetime. Perhaps it's best not to have any preconceived notions with the leading roles. Any thougths?
2 people like this
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
9 May 09
I have to say, I have mixed feelings about this movie. On the one hand, this is a great political story and it should be put out there for the masses to see, but at the same time when they make movies from books, they end up cutting parts out of the book to fit the "time allotted" and junk. I've read the book several times and I can't think of any part of the book that could be cut without hurting the integrity of the story in its entirety. I know I don't fancy the director's job for this one.
I agree with what a previous respondent has said here, if this is made a movie, it should be cut up into parts. And those parts should contain the complete sections of the book too. They could even divide it up into sections the way that it is divided in the book.
If and when this movie comes out (I say that because I am STILL waiting on the Sailor Moon movie they talked about in 2000 *eyerolls*) I will see it one way or another. I truly hope the director sticks to the storyline to the best of their ability.
1 person likes this
@berrys (864)
• Singapore
4 Apr 09
om g don't you guys think that it'd be really great if lindsay lohan played Dagny taggart? I mean look at all her previous roles. shes a god actress, if you don't like her personality i can understand. but when it comes to acting, this girl knows how to work it.
@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
6 Apr 09
Hello Berry's,
Sorry, but I just can't bring myself to agree on the Lohan thing. Not even for the sake of polite conversation. Lindsay Lohan cannot even be trusted to show up for work.
www.zooped.com/2009/03/21/lindsay-lohan-can%E2%80%99t-find-a-job/
1 person likes this
