Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie as John Galt and Dagny Taggart?
New Individualist editor Robert Bidinotto reports that Lionsgate is moving forward with its plans to produce the Atlas Shrugged movie:
According to Variety, “Ray” producers Howard and Karen Baldwin believe they’ve cracked the challenge of turning the 1,100 page novel “Atlas Shrugged” into a manageable feature. Lionsgate has acquired worldwide distribution.
And reportedly both Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are very interested in the project:
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have been linked to the film adaptation of Ayn Rand’s bestselling novel ‘Atlas Shrugged’.
Variety reports that the couple are rumoured to be considering starring as lead characters Dagny Taggart and John Galt.
‘Atlas Shrugged’ tells the story of the economic collapse of the US in the future when American industrialists go on strike and retreat to a hideaway in the mountains.
The book espouses Rand’s philosophy of objectivism, which the author described as: “the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute.”
Both Pitt and Jolie are fans of Rand’s work.
Lionsgate Films, who like to keep their films under a $25M budget, are looking to spend north of $30M for Atlas Shrugged.
Bidinotto promises that “The New Individualist WILL have exclusive, behind-the-scenes news and interviews with the principals about this coming project in the very near future. (John Aglialoro, who owns the screen rights, is a co-executive producer on the project, and also serves on the Board of The Objectivist Center — the publisher of The New Individualist.)”
YOU ARE DOING A FATAL MISTAKE ! I am not sure if the concerned people would be reading this but I consider myself one of Ayn Rand’s dedicated fans. Brad Pitt and Angelina are the WORST possible cast for such a brilliant and intelligent story. You will ruin what Ayn Rand is to her fans.. there will not be a powerful Dagny Taggart anymore nor a mystic John Galt, you will actually RUIN the charecters of this great novel. The cast should be upcoming or amateur actors who are not linked to any publicity scandals or associated with any negative reputations in real life. Please for the sake of her soul, do not ruin such beautiful work of art by casting the cheesiest people on earth! This is an irreversable mistake. Please I and all of Rand’s fans beg you not to destroy her work!
i think it’s brilliant casting. they’re talented and i believe would take this role more seriously than any they’ve done previous. what wonderful arrogance to speak for all of Rand’s fans. just so happens Mr Pitt and Ms Jolie are beatuiful looking people. we shouldn’t hold that against them.
Brad Pitt would be okay in any of the roles but, Angelina as Dagny is AWFUL! She is soooo wrong for that part. I am a fan of Angelina’s work most of the time but, She’s more suited for Reardon’s Wife than Dagny. Dagny is not someone who focuses on her looks. She is a goal oriented, strong, confident woman. Angelina plays roles of women who are crazy or unstable, angry or sarcastic. Her intensity is all wrong! If she wants to do a Ayn Rand book have her be Dominique in The Fountainhead. She’d be great at that – almost perfect for it actually and Brad Pitt would be a great Roark. If you are doing Atlas Shrugged please for the love of god get Kate Blanchette for the role of Dagny!! She would blow everyone out of the water.
Cate Blanchett would be a good cast, but not Jolie. Dagny is iconic, it would have to be someone less controversial, so the story shines. Although Brad Pitt is lovely, he’s not John Galt. A legendary character needs a good actor, Ralph Fiennes, Sean Penn or Johnny Depp add a bit of mystery. Honestly, I’m disappointed that there going through with this. Hollywood slatters the best books. How they can possibly make a 2-3 hour feature film about it and do any type of justice is beyond me.
I don’t know if a movie based on “Atlas Shrugged” would sell. The novel “Atlas Shrugged” was written in the aftermarh of World War II. I don’t know if a modern audience could relate to it. Besides, Hollywood always makes so many changes that usually there are few similarities between a book and a movie. If Hank Rearden, Dagny Taggart, et al., could see the phenomenon of the novel “Atlas Shrugged” being adapted into a movie that hardly resembles it, followed by that movie being a box-office flop, they might be disappointed.
Actually, Jolie would make a perfect Dagney. She is intense, charismatic and exudes a sense of mystery. Kate Blanchett is a good actor, but she is too bland – looks like a pretty suburban mom.
I just finished reading Atlas Shrugged, and the ENTIRE TIME I was imagining Angelina Jolie as Dagny Taggart. Perfect, Perfect, Perfect!
Set your expectations very *very* low.
I think that casting angelina jolie is the smartest choice one could make. i am 3/4 done with the book right now and all i picture is her. for those of you that feel she is wrong, look back at jolie’s earlier work, and the UN work she does. she is through and through Dagny. as far as brad as galt…who knows stranger thigns have happened…
I’ve never seen any evidence to indicate that Angelina and Brad are practioners of the wise philosophy of Ayn Rand. The closest I can see them coming to implementing Rand’s philosophy is when Angelina simply makes as much money as she can and does with it what she sees fit, which includes giving 1/3 of it away. I’d much rather see her doing that than advocating — as many in Hollywood do — that people with far less money should be forced to have more of it taken away from them in taxes so the gov’t can waste it.
I do not think Angelina is a very good choice for Dagny Taggart. Besides the physical description of Dagny – who’s beauty is not as obvious or as in your face as Angelina. (not that there is anything wrong with Angelina, she is beautiful). The fact that we know so much about Jolie’s personal life ruins any credibility she might have playing Taggart. I don’t think Rand would approve of having her play Dagny. Im actually suprised Jolie is a fan of Rand, considering she doesn’t follow her philosophy at all. I think that Jodie Foster would make an excellent Dagny Taggart
Angelina is perfect. You may not like her, but she is who I imagined when I read the book 20 years ago. Don’t worry about the soul of Ayn Rand in the choice of Angelina–Ayn Rand, when discussing casting for the movie version of Atlas Shrugged back in the 70s, decided that Farrah Fawsett would be the perfect Dagney. She, too, was beautiful and very much all over the press at the time. The only difference in this instance is that Angelina is a much better actor and much better suited for the role. Brad would be a good selection for John Galt, but I think the role of Dagney is more important and must be right–if the choice actor is not convincing, the movie will flop. I think Angelina is the only actor today capable of playing that role.
I’m bemused by most of these posters. The mere fact that one is famous does not intend in the slightest that they are dumb, or unworthy of an intellectual role. I’m not agreeing or disagreeing with anyone on casting choices. I’m merely hoping for better arguements in the future.
Actually, the notion of making a single film out of “Atlas Shrugged” seems futile to begin with. “The Fountainhead” should require a mini-series and “Atlas Shrugged” is even longer. As for the actors, all I can think is that it seems extraordinary that they should be Ayn Rand fans. It doesn’t seem to fit with the publicity stories . . . even the “good” ones.
“Atlas Shrugged” as a book is longer than it has to be, and could easily be fit into a 2.5 hour movie that makes Ayn’s important points. My worry is that it will be transformed into an action-adventure story, becasue as much as I love the ideas presented in this book I still cringe when at the end I see our hero’s turned into comic-book characters performing JG’s rescue. If we can avoid the cheesy music and over-dramatics of that part of the book trasformed into a movie, I think we’d have a much better movie.
Angella is a fine choice and frankly I don’t care what her background is. As Howard said in “Fountainhead”,
“And so I didn’t come here to do you a favor or because I felt sorry for you or because you need a job pretty badly. I came for a simple, selfish reason-the same reason that makes a man choose the cleanest food he can find. It’s a law of survival, isn’t it?-to seek the best. I didn’t come for your sake. I came for mine.”
Jolie is a beautiful and talented actress who claims to respect Rand’s work. She’s the best, and is the cleanest food for this role to be found anywhere. Dagny rocks!
JEREMY NORTHAM AS JOHN GALT
If you would like to see the brilliant Jeremy Northam as John Galt in
the movie “Atlas Shrugged”, please sign this petition which is being
sent to Baldwin Entertainment, executive producers of the film.
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/johngalt
Daniel-Day Lewis as Hank Rearden?
I’m still unsure about Brad Pitt, he’s pulled off some pretty awesome roles, but please don’t let them cast Angelina Jolie as Dagny! And please, please, please don’t let them cast them both turning it into a Hollywood Blockbuster! Not that it’s her fault, but Angelina is far too sultry to play Dagny. Dagny is an understated beauty, she’s brilliant and uncomfortable with her femininity. They need someone a bit less “Hollywood” and a bit more myserious. What about Rachel Weisz or Kate Beckinsale? Angelina will come off as overtly sexy and the producers will play it up. Oh, how I hope another choice is made!
To me, a younger Jessica Lange would have made a great Dagny Taggart. Agreed?
Pitt and Jolie would be perfect for either Galt / Dagny or Rearden / Dagny, respectively. Both of them are in the late-prime stage of their acting career where an opportunity like this would be perfect.
Atlas Shrugged is intricately philosophical and deals with critical cultural and political factors that will only grow in influence and importance, especially following the Bush administration and its accompanying crony-ism. This kind of serious reflection upon politics and the American system is spot on for the direction that Pitt and Jolie have been steering their lives in the past few years.
Put aside the Hollywood drama and ridiculous amount of media attention. Pitt and Jolie are two of the most socially concerned and politically active people in the business. Hate ‘em or love ‘em, it must be said that they have made respectable attempts to become strong role models and to widen their interests beyond film-making and the L.A. pop-culture scene.
Taking on the roles of these key characters in such an epic novel-made-movie could prove to be one of their premiere career achievements. And yes, Atlas can be made into a movie – a superb movie at that. No Country for Old Men (2007), Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (2003), and A Beautiful Mind (2001) all took Best Picture as adaptations of best-in-class literary works. It can be done.
Jolie …a resounding no. Films sell images, and she is physically too exaggerated for the part.
Cate Blanchett would be my first choice, female strength coupled with striking look.
Galt would best be served by an unknown.
Jolie and Pitt as advocates of Rand, amusing. In LA, they’ll do anything to get the roles they want, just ask, many will tell.
The budget is low, for the blockbuster film that has been suggested.
Either Morgan Freedman or Sidney Poitier need to play Hugh Akston.
I’d like to see Maria Bello as Dagny.
I’ve been on the fence with this one since I heard it rumored. I don’t doubt Jolie’s ability to perform the role even if the philosophical/intellectual traits are feigned. I have always wondered if she could pull off the look until I stumbled across this image:
http://www.exposay.com/celebrity-photos2/angelina-jolie-beowulf-los-angeles-premiere-arrivals-8Tf2AX.jpg
That is pretty much my mental image of Dagny Taggart. Not forwardly or flauntingly sexy, but businesslike and possessing (said unstated) beauty. On the other hand, I can’t see Brad Pitt in any of the roles, except maybe an Ellis Wyatt.
I don’t see Angelina and Brad as Dagny and John Galt. I agree with the first person who posted here when he said they should be upcoming or amateur actors. When I read this book nobody I could think of in Hollywood could fill any of these roles. First of all, almost all of Ayn’s characters have blond hair and blue eyes, did anybody else but me notice that? That’s going to be a unique cast in itself. I also agree with the other person who was talking about miniseries’. Of all the shows I see on TV these days, I really think that Atlas Shrugged would be a prime time hit. I think this because while it is a very intellectual book, admit it, some of the parts are a little dramatic and they read somewhat like a soap opera when Dagny and Rearden are together; but other times it is very suspenseful like when Dagny is being a kick ass business woman; and other times D’Anconia and the others in Galt’s Gulch are talking to Dagny in those long…long…long speeches about why they quit. Those parts would be really long monologues you know? It’s got all the perfect qualities of a hit prime time show if you ask me. And I’d much rather it end up as such so that a lot of the really good chunks of storyline aren’t cut out. I feel like excluding a lot of stuff is just going to chop the story to pieces and be a huge disappointment to the fans of Rand’s work.
Angelina would be perfect for Kay Ludlow though…..right? Anybody agree? By the way, someone else said “Angelina is perfect, you may not like her but…” I don’t think that a lot of people dislike Angelina and Brad, they aren’t bad actors by any means, these just aren’t roles they should play. It’s hard to describe why not, but somehow it just doesn’t seem right. Sorry this isn’t that great argument you were looking for by the way LEE lol. I just thought I’d add that because you said you were hoping for better arguments
I understand Ms Jolie is attempting to change her image from blood vials to mommy, but, she has neither the physical presence of Dagny, nor the psychological image.
She does have a global appeal and will undoubtably will be cast, (Lara Croft Tomb Raider plays Dagny).
I would prefer Cate Blanchett.
I always pictured her as Maureen O’Hara
I think they would both fit my images of the dagny and john(and rumored to both be huge fans of Ayn Rand. I would like to throw daniel craig out there for hank, and matt(the leftist) for eddie willars, kelsey grammer as jim taggart.
I meant matt damon as eddie willars. plus not that this is the forum for it, but i always thought that dagny was portrayed as one of the few women who is truly comfortable with her femininity.
I know this won’t go very far, but the idea Angelina Jolie as Dagny Taggart has to be the worst idea I have ever heard for any character in any movie ever!
I am sorry to seem emotional, but it seems like the people putting this piece together doesn’t care about Ayn Rand at all, or the people who believe in her work. Have you attempted to make any link between the life of Angelina Jolie with Dagny Taggart or Ayn Rand? Have You? God I wish she was here to see this, I wish she was here to speak up for herself as much as Dagny Taggart wished Nat Taggart was around to see his railroad being destroyed. This is a complete insolent mockery of her work. Of all the actresses you could have picked, you could have picked a woman that wasn’t even caucasian and I would less affended. Do you think Dagny Taggart had time to play around the world adopting random children, posing in the spotlight and masquerading as if she were a superstar? Please god make them change this!
I guess its ok though, the idea of Atlas Shrugged will live on and I could see someone remaking it in 20/25 years to fix all the mistakes that these people will and are making!
Best choice! Angelina as Dagny and Brad Pitt as John Galt! WOW!!! I have one suggestion = Ralph Fiennes as Hank Rearden! Then it will be a BLAST!!!
How about Kate Winslett for Dagny? She’s a goddess, of sorts.
Her’s an obscure suggestion: Dean Cameron as Hank Rearden. I know he’s only known for comedies and it’s been a long time since he’s been in anything, but I’ve seen him do serious theater (he did a play here in Minneapolis) and his depth as an actor is astonishing. Plus, he’s a very strong Libertarian. Remember the metal cards with the Bill of Rights? securityedition.com That’s his invention.
Anyway, that’s my vote for Hank. But it looks as this will never get made. I haven’t heard anything about this for a long, long while.
I think Angelina is a great choice for Dagny! Brad I could see for either Hank or John. I want people who would never read the book to see the movie and Brangelina can make that happen. And to people who dont think the book is relevant anymore – it is selling better now than ever before which is amazing for a book thats over 50 years old, but completey understandable in our current economic and political atmosphere. Cant wait to see it!
For what it’s worth, I also would love to see Cate Blanchett appear in the role of Dagny Taggart! I could still see Brad Pitt as John Galt…
90% of the characters in this book need to be No-Names. This is one of the strongest ideological novels I have ever read. The Hollywood crowd carries to much baggage to make a decent movie.
Bradjolina is a joke to everyone but Hollywood.
The best cast for the movie would be Julia Roberts for Dagny, Jude Law as Galt, Daniel Day-Lewis / George Clooney for Hank and Johnny Depp for D’Antonia.
In my mind I pictured Dagny to look more like Calista Flockhart – for the lack of a better person to describe the image. Dagny never seems to be particularly beautiful to me until we delve further into her personality. I believe she is described as very plain, very thin, with thin lips, and beautiful legs. The trick would be finding someone who looked like that who could give her character the depth it needed. I like the idea of Jodie Foster playing her – that is much more the person Rand paints. Definitely NOT Angelina Jolie – I couldn’t buy her in the role.
I honestly have a hard time with the John Galt image. When I see the kid that plays Teddy on the new 90210, I think I might get a flash of Galt. I do believe he needs to have the golden boy thing going on, but Rand paints him in such a light, that it is nearly impossible to come up with a complete image.
Kelsey Grammar is EXACTLY how I pictured James Taggart! Wow – good call!
Francisco is a definitely a Clark Gable type – I could see Brad Pitt doing a better job with that role than of Galt.
Hank Reardon is another hard one. I saw him as a bit older, or at least more weary. Daniel Day-Lewis might be a nice choice. Leonardo DiCaprio might do a good job with the role.