Trivia

  • According to Variety, The Godfather producer Albert S. Ruddy spent years trying to bring the novel to the big screen, attracting the interest of Clint Eastwood, Robert Redford and Faye Dunaway along the way.
  • In the late 1970s, NBC had plans to bring the novel to television as one of the multi-part mini-series popular at the time. Ayn Rand wanted Farrah Fawcett to star, but the project never materialized.
  • Angelina Jolie, Charlize Theron and Maggie Gyllenhaal were among the actresses considered to play Dagny Taggart, with Brad Pitt being considered to play John Galt.
  • 945call

    Atlas Shrugged was written to be produced by HBO. Character development and philosopy will be lost in the theater format.

  • 945call

    Atlas Shrugged was written to be produced by HBO. Character development and philosopy will be lost in the theater format.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jenny-Beddy/1568020342 Jenny Beddy

    Brad Pitt would be a pretty good John Galt actually… despite his ‘pretty boy’ reputation, he is a phenomenal actor and he looks the part. I guess we’ll see how the guy they picked instead turns out.

    • Flotsam42

      I thought Brad Pitt would be a good Ragnar Danneskjold. He was supposed to have a beautiful face.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jenny-Beddy/1568020342 Jenny Beddy

    Brad Pitt would be a pretty good John Galt actually… despite his ‘pretty boy’ reputation, he is a phenomenal actor and he looks the part. I guess we’ll see how the guy they picked instead turns out.

    • Flotsam42

      I thought Brad Pitt would be a good Ragnar Danneskjold. He was supposed to have a beautiful face.

  • ayn’s fan

    Just finished reading the book 11:30 am today 02/12/11. The actors chosen so far look just like I had them pictured in my minds eye, eery. It’s also ironic that this movie and its message is finally being told at this time in our history. I , for one, am overwhelmed by the trailer!

  • ayn’s fan

    Just finished reading the book 11:30 am today 02/12/11. The actors chosen so far look just like I had them pictured in my minds eye, eery. It’s also ironic that this movie and its message is finally being told at this time in our history. I , for one, am overwhelmed by the trailer!

  • http://twitter.com/AnyaGiglioni Anya Giglioni

    I kind of had Mads Mikkelson pictures for Ragnar, but the man they have for Hank is almost a perfect match for the man I pictured while reading the book.

  • http://twitter.com/AnyaGiglioni Anya Giglioni

    I kind of had Mads Mikkelson pictures for Ragnar, but the man they have for Hank is almost a perfect match for the man I pictured while reading the book.

  • Anonymous

    I had always pictured Jon Hamm as the ideal Hank Rearden. But I think Grant Bowler will do a fine job. I’m definitely coming around. But picture Jon Hamm. Perfect.

    • Anonymous

      Jon Hamm, absolutely not suited. Grant Bowler was precisely the right Hank Rearden. The casters did a superb job not only in casting Hank, but in the other characters too. I was, however, quite disappointed in Owen Kellogg, as he did not seem to fit the character at all.

      • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_2QJH7OCSK4GUYCYZ3Z3HCQE2SY Michael

        i think a number of casting choices in the subsidiary characters were good ones for variety – a bit of diversity is a good thing, optically.

  • dubthedankest

    I had always pictured Jon Hamm as the ideal Hank Rearden. But I think Grant Bowler will do a fine job. I’m definitely coming around. But picture Jon Hamm. Perfect.

    • Jim_Hoehn

      Jon Hamm, absolutely not suited. Grant Bowler was precisely the right Hank Rearden. The casters did a superb job not only in casting Hank, but in the other characters too. I was, however, quite disappointed in Owen Kellogg, as he did not seem to fit the character at all.

      • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_2QJH7OCSK4GUYCYZ3Z3HCQE2SY Michael

        i think a number of casting choices in the subsidiary characters were good ones for variety – a bit of diversity is a good thing, optically.

  • Anonymous

    WHERE IS RAGNAR DANNESKJOLD ? HE IS THE BEST PHILOSOPHER. AND THE BEST CHARACTER SHOULD BE PLAYED BY BRAD PITT.

  • http://thepicklemonkey.blogspot.com John the Squabbler

    I’m happy to see Jon Polito in the cast. This is a good time for a film adaptation, and it is also good the cast is not burdened with big face actors – like for instance Pitt – which may have detracted from the final impression most moviegoers will walk out of the theater with. Ayn Rand is the star, her own interest in seeing Farrah Fawcett as Dagny notwithstanding. (Hm… possibly.) I’m also pleased the film doesn’t seem to attempt to capture Rand’s idiosyncratic view of a potential future under the progressive left as seen from 1957, that is to say I’m glad it has been updated to look like… today. Her envisioned future is now. I wonder how the “This is John Galt” section of the book will be dealt with, as it takes roughly two and a half hours to read. Putting speculation aside, I can’t wait to see it. April 15 approaches, hour by long hour.

  • http://thepicklemonkey.blogspot.com John the Squabbler

    I’m happy to see Jon Polito in the cast. This is a good time for a film adaptation, and it is also good the cast is not burdened with big face actors – like for instance Pitt – which may have detracted from the final impression most moviegoers will walk out of the theater with. Ayn Rand is the star, her own interest in seeing Farrah Fawcett as Dagny notwithstanding. (Hm… possibly.) I’m also pleased the film doesn’t seem to attempt to capture Rand’s idiosyncratic view of a potential future under the progressive left as seen from 1957, that is to say I’m glad it has been updated to look like… today. Her envisioned future is now. I wonder how the “This is John Galt” section of the book will be dealt with, as it takes roughly two and a half hours to read. Putting speculation aside, I can’t wait to see it. April 15 approaches, hour by long hour.

  • mairsey doates

    I first read the novel in the late ’60′s, and my friends and I spent many happy conversations discussing who we’d like to see acting in a movie of Atlas Shrugged. I never could decide on most of them, except that I would have loved to see Francisco D’Anconia played by Ricardo Montalban.

    • Anonymous

      I always pictured Raul Julia as D’Anconia…too bad he is no longer with us.

      • Anonymous

        If the movie would have been made a couple of decades ago, my vote would have been Ricardo Montalban for D’Anconia.  The next option a few years ago could have been Antonio Banderas.  (I have no idea if either of those actors would have agreed with the message.)

  • ladyhawk

    I first read the novel in the late ’60′s, and my friends and I spent many happy conversations discussing who we’d like to see acting in a movie of Atlas Shrugged. I never could decide on most of them, except that I would have loved to see Francisco D’Anconia played by Ricardo Montalban.

    • atlasfan

      I always pictured Raul Julia as D’Anconia…too bad he is no longer with us.

      • SickFreak

        If the movie would have been made a couple of decades ago, my vote would have been Ricardo Montalban for D’Anconia.  The next option a few years ago could have been Antonio Banderas.  (I have no idea if either of those actors would have agreed with the message.)

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_LXPAFH3QZ3WJ2VQHD643DDP6B4 Bonnie

    I first read the novel in the late ’60′s, and my friends and I spent many happy conversations discussing who we’d like to see acting in a movie of Atlas Shrugged. I never could decide on most of them, except that I would have loved to see Francisco D’Anconia played by Ricardo Montalban.

    • Carol Cunningham-Son

      Sam Waterston as Rearden. He is still a great actor. I was always stumped by Galt and Ragnar but in absolute love with Francisco.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_LXPAFH3QZ3WJ2VQHD643DDP6B4 Bonnie

    I first read the novel in the late ’60′s, and my friends and I spent many happy conversations discussing who we’d like to see acting in a movie of Atlas Shrugged. I never could decide on most of them, except that I would have loved to see Francisco D’Anconia played by Ricardo Montalban.

    • Carol Cunningham-Son

      Sam Waterston as Rearden. He is still a great actor. I was always stumped by Galt and Ragnar but in absolute love with Francisco.

  • Anonymous

    Last week I put Who Is John Galt image as my wallpaper on iphone. So far 50 people have asked – What does that mean? Not one person has known what it means – pretty sad. Book was awesome, movie looks great. Can’t wait for the media to tell us how terrible it is…..

    • Anonymous

      I swear by my life and love it that I will NOT live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine!
      John Galt!

      Read the book 3 times and cherish my hard cover addition!
      Ellen

  • JoeTheConservative

    Last week I put Who Is John Galt image as my wallpaper on iphone. So far 50 people have asked – What does that mean? Not one person has known what it means – pretty sad. Book was awesome, movie looks great. Can’t wait for the media to tell us how terrible it is…..

    • WavyCrocOdile

      I swear by my life and love it that I will NOT live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine!
      John Galt!

      Read the book 3 times and cherish my hard cover addition!
      Ellen

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Robert-Davis/100000717214477 Robert Davis

    Are you “@#$@@# kidding me??!! Any one of these maggots would have ruined the film!!! They weren’t
    even worthy to read for the parts let alone be on the sound stage….Pitt as John Galt??!!!! Get real!!
    The CAST was perfect!!!……Veritable unknowns……as it should be,  not a Socialist among them!!
    Especially Graham Beckel………the truest of Patriots and a sound, ethical capitalist!~!

    Angelina Jolie, Charlize Theron and Maggie Gyllenhaal were among the actresses considered to play Dagny Taggart, with Brad Pitt being considered to play John Galt.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Robert-Davis/100000717214477 Robert Davis

    Are you “@#$@@# kidding me??!! Any one of these maggots would have ruined the film!!! They weren’t
    even worthy to read for the parts let alone be on the sound stage….Pitt as John Galt??!!!! Get real!!
    The CAST was perfect!!!……Veritable unknowns……as it should be,  not a Socialist among them!!
    Especially Graham Beckel………the truest of Patriots and a sound, ethical capitalist!~!

    Angelina Jolie, Charlize Theron and Maggie Gyllenhaal were among the actresses considered to play Dagny Taggart, with Brad Pitt being considered to play John Galt.

  • http://www.facebook.com/rjbernil Rolyn Joy Tuñacao Bernil

     i read the book “Atlas Shrugged” 5 times, i just love it and so addicting for me. Yes! I would have loved to see Dagny Taggart played by Angelina Jolie and John Galt played By brad Pitt, 

  • http://www.facebook.com/rjbernil Rolyn Joy Tuñacao Bernil

     i read the book “Atlas Shrugged” 5 times, i just love it and so addicting for me. Yes! I would have loved to see Dagny Taggart played by Angelina Jolie and John Galt played By brad Pitt,