Author Topic: Atlas Shrugged, the Movie? (Read 1810 times)

Greg Levy · « **on:** July 06, 2006, 06:49:24 PM »

So, with it being Angelina Jolie's birthday the other day, I was checking out her page at www.IMDB.com(because it is safe for viewing at work).

At the top of her page, it stated that Angelina was in negatiations to play the role of Dagny Taggart in the movie.

I have tried reading Atlas Shrugged a few times, always kind of giving up about 150 pages in. Even without reading the book all the way through, Angelina is not what I had seen in my mind when I read the book. I picture someone a little more willowy than Angelina, almost like Kate Hudson or Cate Blanchett.

The real issue is, I am not sure if this makes me want to try to read the book again or not.

greg

SpookyPistolero · « **Reply #1 on:** July 06, 2006, 07:04:41 PM »

I consider Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead to contain some of the most important ideas that have ever been put on paper. The notion of infusing such solemnly important themes into a pop culture blockbuster trying to cash in on the notariety of a piece of literature pretty much makes me sick. At best they send a garbled imitation of the messages the book gives, and at worst they butcher it all and turn off that many more people to reading it for themselves.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #2 on:** July 06, 2006, 07:41:45 PM »

Quote from: SpookyPistolero

The notion of infusing such solemnly important themes into a pop culture blockbuster trying to cash in on the notariety of a piece of literature pretty much makes me sick.

I haven't read any Rand yet, but isn't she all about down-and-dirty cut-throat CAPITALISM? In other words, that would be a perfectly fitting tribute to her book. Anyhoo, aren't we all tired of Ms. Inflatalips by now? Downright scary, she is.

SpookyPistolero · « **Reply #3 on:** July 06, 2006, 08:51:51 PM »

It is all about capitalism, but it's about money earned, money owed for a job that exactly met that cost. Piggybacking on the fame of another work = looting.

Leatherneck · « **Reply #4 on:** July 07, 2006, 03:32:47 AM »

Priv8ter quote: "I have tried reading Atlas Shrugged a few times, always kind of giving up about 150 pages in."

The only way I made it through Atlas was to get it from the library as an audio book. For about ten straight trips to the cottage (2-1/2 hours each way) I listened and eventually got through it. My eyes would never stay open long enough to read the book.

TC

thumbody · « **Reply #5 on:** July 07, 2006, 03:38:25 AM »

I am about half way through the book right now. There is no way the Hollywood socialists can do this book justice!

[quote\I haven't read any Rand yet, but isn't she all about down-and-dirty cut-throat CAPITALISM?/quote]

Not so much cut throat Capitalism but that inventers and producers should not be punished for thier success by excessive government controls . And showing how excessive gov't shuts down corporations eliminating jobs for others leading to complete govt control of society

lee n. field · « **Reply #6 on:** July 07, 2006, 03:45:43 AM »

Quote

I am about half way through the book right now. There is no way the Hollywood socialists can do this book justice!

Of course not. It's a book where most everything important that happens, happens inside someone's head. Hard to show that.

I wonder how long this movie, if ever made, would be. Like LOTR, will it be spread over multiple movies (that I suspect only the Rand faithful would see)?

DrAmazon · « **Reply #7 on:** July 07, 2006, 04:52:29 AM »

Now you're really making me want to find the film version of The Fountainhead.

I agree that Angelina isn't the right one for that role. More willowy definitely comes to mind. As I read Atlas, I saw her power , beauty and presence comes from within-it isn't external. Kate Blanchette sounds good to me.

The other question is who for Hank Reardon, Francisco DeAnconia and of course, John Gault? Antonio Banderas as Francisco is pretty easy to see, and maybe Russell Crowe as Reardon. I'll have to ponder Gault a bit more. And who is weasely enough for James Taggart? Justin, help me out here!

Anybody seen "Passion of Ayn Rand". Odd movie. I lost some respect for her after seeing that.

roo_ster · « **Reply #8 on:** July 07, 2006, 05:24:04 AM »

The Fountainhead was a much more cinema-friendly tale. Heck, it was just plain a better book. Atlas Shrugged will likely be butchered beyond recognition.

I read AS the first time I picked it up, but once I found myself in the midst of "the speech," I skipped forward. What a bloated, self-indulgent hunk of literary lard "the speech" is.

Quote

Anybody seen "Passion of Ayn Rand". Odd movie. I lost some respect for her after seeing that.

Yep. I read up on her before catching PoAR. The term, "cult of personality" comes to mind.

She was yet another purveyor of utopia, heaven on earth, immanentizing the eschaton, etc.

InfidelSerf · « **Reply #9 on:** July 07, 2006, 07:08:19 AM »

Quote

I have tried reading Atlas Shrugged a few times, always kind of giving up about 150 pages in.

I will admit the beginning is a bit tedious. However once I got going, I couldn't put it down.

Excellent novel.

Now the downside is lefties in hollywierd will want to spin it into pure propaganda. A pity.

These are the scoops I've found.
Variety article
http://www.objectivistcenter.org/cth-13-1687-Atlas_Movie_April_06_update.aspx]Objectivist article

It looks like Lionsgate is going to have the distro rights to it.

I actually would have liked to see Gibson's Icon productions do the film. I think he would have held it closer to Rand's views.
Rather than turning it into an anti-religious piece. Which I have no doubt the hollywierds will focus in entirely on Rand's somewhat agnostic views. While leaving the most important points from the book soaking in shallow water.
Those being the abuses and unintended consequenses by the power of the state due to over-regulation.

Mannlicher · « **Reply #10 on:** July 07, 2006, 08:11:26 AM »

There is no way Hollywood can make this movie without screwing it up. The basic premise of the book is SO inimical to liberal hollywood thgought, that they just can't produce a movie of Atlas Shrugged without spinning it their way. I for one, would refuse to pay to see any of the current HollyWeirdos playing any role in the picture.
It was bad enough that they trashed Lord of the Rings. Destroying Atlas Shrugged would be a travesty.

StopTheGrays · « **Reply #11 on:** July 07, 2006, 08:40:37 AM »

Quote from: DrAmazon

Now you're really making me want to find the film version of The Fountainhead.

I agree that Angelina isn't the right one for that role. More willowy definitely comes to mind. As I read Atlas, I saw her power , beauty and presence comes from within-it isn't external. Kate Blanchette sounds good to me.

The other question is who for Hank Reardon, Francisco DeAnconia and of course, John Gault? Antonio Banderas as Francisco is pretty easy to see, and maybe Russell Crowe as Reardon. I'll have to ponder Gault a bit more. And who is weasely enough for James Taggart? Justin, help me out here!

Anybody seen "Passion of Ayn Rand". Odd movie. I lost some respect for her after seeing that.

The Fountainhead is okay, I do not think Gary Cooper was the right choice to play the lead maybe someone like Errol Flynn would have been better. Also there is this quasi-rape scene in the film that is a bit disturbing.

Who should star?
Dagny Taggart...Uma Thurman
Hank Reardon....Gerald McRaney or Kurt Russell (I always seen him as an older person)
Francisco DeAnconia...Carlos Bernard (Tony from 24)
John Gault....Eric Bana
James Taggart...Joaquin Phoenix

DrAmazon · « **Reply #12 on:** July 09, 2006, 02:23:06 PM »

Quote from: StopTheGrays

Who should star?
Dagny Taggart...Uma Thurman
Hank Reardon....Gerald McRaney or Kurt Russell (I always seen him as an older person)
Francisco DeAnconia...Carlos Bernard (Tony from 24)
John Gault....Eric Bana
James Taggart...Joaquin Phoenix

I like Uma. Gerald or Kurt would be way too old. I like Joaquin Phoenix too much to make him James Taggart, but thinking of his role in Gladiator, that's a great call on that one!!!

Antibubba · « **Reply #13 on:** July 09, 2006, 05:17:55 PM »

If they make the movie I hope they put in some car chases and explosions. Wink

lee n. field · « **Reply #14 on:** July 09, 2006, 05:54:27 PM »

Quote

James Taggart...Joaquin Phoenix

No. No. Remembering his role in "Mathilda", I nominate Danny Divito.

Headless Thompson Gunner · « **Reply #15 on:** July 09, 2006, 08:39:09 PM »

Count me among the folks who are certain Hollywood will decimate this great work. It doesn't matter who they choose for the various roles.

roo_ster · « **Reply #16 on:** July 10, 2006, 01:54:32 AM »

Here's a thought:

What if Hollywood does to Atlas Shrugged what Hollywood did to Starship Troopers?

StopTheGrays · « **Reply #17 on:** July 10, 2006, 04:31:45 AM »

Quote from: jfruser

Here's a thought:

What if Hollywood does to Atlas Shrugged what Hollywood did to Starship Troopers?

NNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!11111!!!111oneone!!!

doczinn · « **Reply #18 on:** July 10, 2006, 07:32:19 PM »

ut my name in the "They couldn't possibly do it right." column.

On the other hand, if the Ayn Rand Institute keeps a tight enough leash on them, as opposed to letting them buy the rights and run with it, it could be close.

Antibubba · « **Reply #19 on:** July 11, 2006, 03:26:34 AM »

On the other hand, if the Ayn Rand Institute keeps a tight enough leash on them, as opposed to letting them buy the rights and run with it, it could be close.

You mean, a great idea encased in a mind-numbingly overwrought melodrama?

News:

Author Topic: Atlas Shrugged, the Movie? (Read 1810 times)

Greg Levy