“Atlas Shrugged” movie suggested cast
Mar 27th, 2009 | By Lina Zaproudi
Who will be John Galt?
My favourite book is Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, so I am naturally excited about the prospect of a movie based on the book.
There is quite a frenzy out there about the imminent (with some question marks) production of Atlas Shrugged (just do a search for “Atlas Shrugged casting”).
I’ve long thought about who could possibly play the heroes of the book.
(For the uninitiated: the book is a manifesto of “Objectivism”, Ayn Rand’s life philosophy of reason & individualism – to find out more about Objectivism, Ayn Rand and Atlas Shrugged, see www.aynrand.org)
But apart from the philosophy, the book is a superb drama – even has suspense.
The characters are heroic, intriguing, inspiring – great stuff for a movie and a real challenge for actors (not to mention the screenwriter, who has to condense this enormous epic novel into a script for a 3-hour movie).
What would be then the ideal Atlas Shrugged cast?
Here are my picks…
Dagny Taggart
Angelina Jolie has acquired the rights to the movie, and she intends to play Dagny.
However, she would not have been my first choice. I feel a bit “overexposed” to her, seen her too many times in too many roles recently (I felt that way about Meryl Steep some time ago – I cannot see the role anymore, I just see the actress).
My fist choice is….(drum roll….) Famke Janssen.
She has the right look and if she did her best, I think she could pull it off.
Another great actress who I believe would be right is Cate Blanchett (with brunette hair). I can see her in it…
If Angelina does it, I hope she really gives her very best, because it would be a great shame.
John Galt
Daniel Day Lewis – I see no better for the man whose faces showed “no fear and no guilt”.
Second choice: Ralph Fiennes
Hank Rearden
Who better than Russell Crow?
He IS Hank Rearden.
I was glad to hear the producers suggested the role to him. I hope he decides to take it.
Alternatives: Ed Harris, Nicolas Cage
James Taggart
A villain, and an especially difficult & key role (his “melt-down” at the end would be a feat of acting).
I can see Tom Hanks doing it brilliantly.
Alternatives: Phillip Seymour Hoffman, John Travolta, Kevin Spacey
Ragnar Danneskold
Brad Pitt could be right for the role.
My alternatives: Jude Law, Johnny Depp
Francesco D’ Anconia
A very key role…I had difficulty assigning it. I think Josh Hartnett would be right for it.
My alternatives: Edward Norton, Johnny Depp
“Wet nurse”
Leonardo di Caprio, Tobby McGuire, Edward Furlong, Giovanni Ribisi
Hugh Akston
The good professor…Gene Hackman would be great.
Dr. Robert Stadler
The bad professor…Anthony Hopkins
Alternatives: Gene Hackman, Robin Williams, Martin Sean
Lilian Rearden
Laura Linney, Annette Benning, Cate Blanchett
Sharon Stone, Christine Scott-Thomas, Julian Moore, Helen Hunt
Cherryl
Kirsten Dunst, Drew Barrymore, Scarlett Johansson
Eddie Willers
Paul Raffalo
Ellis Wyatt
Nicolas Cage
Weasley Mouch
Michael Douglas, Jon Voit, Jeremy Irons, Andy Garcia, Tommy Lee Jones, Gabriel Burn, Dustin Hoffman
Director:
I can only think of two great directors that might do justice to the book & philosophy behind it, who know about heroes, about their pains and triumphs:
Ridley Scott (“Gladiator”, “Thelma & Louise”) and Clint Eastwood (“Million Dollar Baby”, “Unforgiven”).
See also:
Agree with some but not the main characters. Charlize Theron is the only actress on the planet who can play Dagny. She is one of the world’s most beautiful women and can play strong as evidenced in Monster and North Country. Jolie is much too lightweight and not mesmerizing enough. I like your choices of Daniel Craig and Anthony Hopkins. Pitt as Ragnar is also a great choice. Kristin Scott-Thomas is perfect for Lillian also. Bravo! Andy Garcia would be far better as Francisco than Mouch. He can’t play a weak character like Mouch.Galt is always the hardest to cast. I think Russell Crowe is the closest you can come. I will think about the rest and come back with my choices.
Jim,
I guess Charlize Theron would be a good choice.
When I wrote the list I felt a bit “overexposed” to her and therefore unwilling to cast her as Dagny.
Andy Garcia – having recently watched again the excellent “Lost City” (2005), I am keen to cast him in a heroic role (rather than villain).
I can see him as Francisco…if the rest of the cast falls in place age-wise and chemistry-wise (I think OK with Charlize Theron).
Russell Crowe for Galt would be an idea, except I just cannot get him out of my mind as the perfect Hank Rearden!
What other options would you consider for John Galt?
I am a bit stuck here…and I think Daniel Day Lewis is unlikely to take such a part even if offered.
I know my choices are going to be from out of left field, but I have been chewing on this all day. I just recently read Atlas Shrugged, and I agree largely with the premise of the book, so some of my thinking was colored by how the individual actors and actresses are in real life. Right or wrong, some of my picks are born of political ideology. Also before I go any further, I just can’t see Angelina Jolie as Dagny under any circumstances.
Dagny Taggart – 1st Choice, Famke Jannsen. 2nd Choice, Laura Prepon. Both women are attractive without being superficially sexy. I need my Dagny to be competent/driven first and foremost and able to clean up nice second. I don’t know if either has the acting chops for the roles, but I’d be on board with either one. BTW, don’t think you’re the only one who thought of Famke Jannsen. I have always like Laura Prepon, but my thinking here is probably colored by her conservative politics and a personal interview that she did where she just kinda sounded like I imagine Dagny to be. Might not be the best choice, but I would stand by it.
Hank Reardon – Daniel Craig. Rough, ruggedly handsome, capable. I hope he can talk without the Brit accent.
Francisco d’Anconia – Javier Bardem. Don’t know much about this guy, but when I looked up his pic on imdb after seeing others mentione his name, he was exactly what I had pictured. Latin, handsome, and as silly as it may sound, unknown to me. I hate the idea of Brad Pitt in this role.
Ragnar Danneskjold – Charlie Hunman. The blonde guy who plays Jax on ‘Sons of Anarchy’. Like him in the show, that roles translates well to a freewheeling pirate, and he looks like he’s straight outta Scandinavia. Might be a little young given my other choices, but I think that’s workable.
John Galt – Michael Vartan or Aaron Eckhart. Michael Vartan was the guy from ‘Alias’ with Jennifer Garner. Always liked him. Eckhart, though, might be the better choice, as he is going to be an easier to sell as being a few years older than Dagny. Dark horse candidate – Jim Caviezel.
James Taggart – Gary Oldman, John Malkovich, or Edward Norton. All three of these guys are solid as a rock in the acting department, but I was only able to find Oldman and Malkovich listed as conservatives. I’d probably pick one of those guys just to make sure that James Taggart is played for the weasel that he is.
Just my .02.
Great ideas. Wonder if you’d now think these better than the choices in the actual movie!?
One thing, although we are so interested in the movie, now, is the amount if one call it that, of the book that is coming to be a reality in today’s world.