http://www.variety.com/VR1117942127.html Lionsgate shrugging 'Atlas' pic mapped By PAMELA MCCLINTOCK Ayn Rand's most ambitious novel may finally be brought to the bigscreen after years of false starts. Lionsgate has picked up worldwide distribution rights to "Atlas Shrugged" from Howard and Karen Baldwin ("Ray"), who will produce with John Aglialoro. As for stars, book provides an ideal role for an actress in lead character Dagny Taggart, so it's not a stretch to assume Rand enthusiast Angelina Jolie's name has been brought up. Brad Pitt, also a fan, is rumored to be among the names suggested for lead male character John Galt. "Atlas Shrugged," which runs more than 1,100 pages, has faced a lengthy and circuitous journey to a film adaptation. The Russian-born author's seminal tome, published in 1957, revolves around the economic collapse of the U.S. sometime in the future and espouses her individualistic philosophy of objectivism. The violent, apocalyptic ending has always posed a challenge but could prove especially so in the post-9/11 climate. Howard BaldwinHoward Baldwin said some people have pigeonholed "Atlas" as better suited for a miniseries. That's why he sometimes pondered turning "Atlas" into two movies. In fact, a two-part script penned by James V. HartJames V. Hart ("Contact""Contact") for the Baldwins envisions "Atlas" as two pics, although it's likely to be reworked. For years, producer Al Ruddy tried to make Rand's definitive book into a movie, attracting the interest of Clint EastwoodClint Eastwood, Robert RedfordRobert Redford and Faye Dunaway at one point. But while Rand was still alive, she had script approval, complicating the process. After the author's death in 1982, Ruddy continued his efforts and, in 1999, he inked a pactpact to produce "Atlas" as a miniseries for TNT. Ultimately, the deal faltered. In 2003, the Baldwins acquired the film rights to the novel from Aglialoro, a New York businessman, after launching Crusader EntertainmentCrusader Entertainment with Philip AnschutzPhilip Anschutz. Hart was hired at that time to adapt. Anschutz, however, ultimately decided not to make the movie. The Baldwins then took the project with them when they left Crusader and formed the Baldwin Entertainment Group. "What we've always needed was a studio that had the same passion for this project that we and John have," said Baldwin, Generally speaking, Lionsgate keeps production budgets below $25 million. "Atlas" is likely to cost north of $30 million, but the studio will reduce its exposure through international pre-salespre-sales and co-financing partners. Actors would likely take less money upfrontupfront -- a common practice for the indieindie. Rand's individualistic and character-driven stories have captured the imagination of Hollywood before. Warner Bros. made "The Fountainhead," starring Gary Cooper as the maverick architect Howard Roark, in 1949. Oliver StoneOliver Stone was attached to direct a remake of "Fountainhead" for Warner Bros. and Paramount, but the project has languished in development. Along the way, Pitt expressed interest in playing Roark.
Many people misjudge the hatred this book and the ideals it contains has. Multiply the hatred for The Passion of the Christ by about a million, and you'll be in the area. For a brief period in American history, perhaps it could have made the silver screen, but certainly not now. One couldn't even get a remake of Fountainhead (as a true remake), let alone such a damnation of socialism as Atlas Shrugged. Absolutely zero chance, sad to say.
This might be very true. But if you throw Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in the mix at the height of their popularity, then it might have a fighting chance.
I don't know if it's hatred so much, as a commonsense rejection of its simplistic philosophy. Most folks' gut feel is that it's bogus.
Oh, an Oliver Stone version, well why didn't you say so at the start? You mean the version of Atlas Shrugged where the incapable go on strike, and the leaders, doers and inventors are lost without a . . . oooo what's the word where an audienace cannot leave? . . . anyway that kind of consumer . . . captive! That's it, the losers and degenerates and scum and thieves are captive consumers, slaves to the inventors and doers and such. So the slaves go on strike and the inventors and leaders and such march around with nobody to consume their wares and suffer. It's like I'm channeling Keynes. Anyway, oh yeah, that movie will sell well to the Hollywood types. A revolt of the lower classes, the have-nots vs. the haves, and how the haves realize they have stolen from the have-nots? Gold in the movie biz. Count on a sequel! Bastard actors who are worth millions will star, how come nobody ever accuses them of price-gouging? Ricter. . . here boy. . . where are you? Oh there you are, good to have you here boy. Be a nice dog and $&(* over there, will you? Such a good doggie.
If the capable, "doers and inventors" are that great, then they could not be dominated by the others. Let free market human nature run its course, and the invisible hand trickle down its blessings on us all.
Uh uh. It would end their careers. And I honestly can understand why somebody who has a career that brings in that kinda cash would be reluctant to end it, so I'm not insulting them by any means. Look what happened to Heston, man he couldn't get an acting job in a crowd scene. It's pretty funny that the left continues to whine about McCarthy, but right wing actors are shoved out in the cold. Make no mistake, anybody that attached their names to a true Atlas Shrugged movie would see their careers end. Other than those like James Taggert and those sort.