AS Movie update

[Backlighting]

http://www.riskybusinessblog.com/2009/03/w...lout-movie.html

[Michael Stuart Kelly]

Here's the article:

With 'Atlas Shrugged,' Hollywood may have its first anti-bailout movie

By Steven Zeitchik

The Hollywood Reporter

April 01, 2009

Hollywood could soon be going Objectivist.

After decades in development hell, Ayn Rand’s capitalism-minded “Atlas Shrugged” is taking new steps toward the big screen — with one of the film world’s most prominent money men potentially at its center.

Ryan Kavanaugh’s Relativity Media is circling the Baldwin Entertainment project and could come aboard to finance with Lionsgate, which got involved several years ago.

. . .

A number of stars have expressed serious interest in playing the lead role of Taggart. Angelina Jolie previously had been reported as a candidate to play the strong female character, but the list is growing and now includes Charlize Theron, Julia Roberts and Anne Hathaway.

. . .

With all the long speeches and with plot points often a Trojan Horse for Rand's ideas, it's not an easy writing or directing gig, but producers believe they've got the man who could do it. Randall Wallace, the writer on other crisis-era, politically themed works such as “Braveheart” and “Pearl Harbor,” has written the latest draft of the screenplay and is also interested in coming on to direct.

. . .

Producers are looking to shoot next year, driven in part by the timeliness, as well as by a clause in the option. A high net-worth individual with whom the Baldwins have partnered controls the option, but that option would revert to the Rand estate if production doesn't begin by the end of 2010.

I knew it wasn't dead.

I am moving this from the Living Room to the appropriate place in Movies and Entertainment.

Michael

[Reidy]

Here we go again.

[Michael Stuart Kelly]

In January I gave an analysis of why I think Angelina Jolie bolted and the project stalled. Here it is below with a comment of agreement from Barbara. (I just had to throw that one in. )

I suppose we can prepare for a wave of mocking from all quarters.

One fact I do find striking. The Democratic National Convention that nominated Barack Obama happened at the end of August. The Lehman Brothers crash happened in the middle of September. Lionsgate (I read that to mean Jolie) pulled out at the end of September.

Maybe Atlas Shrugged was not seen as the best movie option to release during the beginning of a (then perceived) possible Obama administration. Especially if (to them) he started fixing the economy according to principles that Rand's work says destroys the world.

For Jolie, Randzapper (at the link above) claimed that she has had a recent string of flops. I just looked it up. This is totally inaccurate. (Just look at the blockbusters and awards in the linked Wikipedia article since 2006.)

A good speculation would be that she did not want to risk her popularity and success on what promised to be (in the perception I mentioned) a turkey.

As the TAS article said, Lionsgate and the Baldwins are working on hammering out a new deal. Obviously the old one depended on an actress with the star power of Jolie.

I wish John Aglioloro good luck. He is a true hero who puts his money where his mouth is and gives it his all. He deserves applause, not mockery. I have total faith in his capacity to finish this project on a grand scale.

I also predict that with the coming arrival of the results of the present economic difficulties and (what I predict will be) a media crucifixion of President Obama, if a film can be made of AS in the next 2-3 years, whoever is involved will make a killing.

Michael

Michae: "One fact I do find striking. The Democratic National Convention that nominated Barack Obama happened at the end of August. The Lehman Brothers crash happened in the middle of September. Lionsgate (I read that to mean Jolie) pulled out at the end of September.

"Maybe Atlas Shrugged was not seen as the best movie option to release during the beginning of a (then perceived) possible Obama administration. Especially if (to them) he started fixing the economy according to principles that Rand's work says destroys the world."

Interesting point, Michael. And very probably true.

Barbara

I didn't expect President Obama to scare the living daylights out of everybody to the extent he has done in such a short amount of time, but here we are with the mainstream media talking nonstop about Atlas Shrugged.

I don't see how the movie can fail to be made now. With all the free mainstream publicity, and the fact that the economic problems are not going to go away short-term, and with Fox News dominating the TV news ratings with several programs, the money people know they will make a killing. Controversy like this sells at the box-office.

Michael

[Neil Parille]

I would be surprised if this movie is made. Is there even a completed script?

-NEIL

[ginny]

One of the problems I keep hearing re. the movie are the speeches. I've had a terribly shocking idea where those are concerned: Are the speeches really necessary? They are a reiteration of what the plot already demonstrates. A quote or two or three is okay, but maybe, just maybe, we can do without the speeches. I know the mere suggestion is heresy, and certain people will faint at the thought, but really, maybe a new approach is needed. Couldn't even Galt's speech take place mainly "off-screen" with maybe a paragraph or two for the viewer? It's just a thought. Personally, I think it could work. Atlas will be an action movie, and long speeches just aren't going to work.

Now, would someone please pick Leonard Peikoff off the floor. He just passed out.

[Michael Stuart Kelly]

With respect to the script, see this (which is the last script made when Jolie was on board):

Who is Randall Wallace?, Screenwriter for Atlas Shrugged

I hope Wallace directs the film. I bet he would do a very professional job.

Michael

[Chris Grieb]

Michael; I agree that Wallace is the right choice for director.

Neil; As someone who has seen several times that Atlas was coming out as a movie I will not believe it until is as a date at my multi-plex.

Since Angelina is out may I suggest Angie Harmon for Dagny. She is still the best ADA on L&O.

[BaalChatzaf]

Michael; I agree that Wallace is the right choice for director.

Neil; As someone who has seen several times that Atlas was coming out as a movie I will not believe it until is as a date at my multi-plex.

Since Angelina is out may I suggest Angie Harmon for Dagny. She is still the best ADA on L&O.

Let me guess. ADA = assistent district attorney and L&O = Law and Order? Did I get that right? Holy Feces, Batman! I think I just read between the lines! I think I am turning into a planet Earth person.

Ba'al Chatzaf

Edited April 3, 2009 by BaalChatzaf

[Michael Stuart Kelly]

AS in 2011?

On the IMDb entry for Atlas Shrugged, it gives the release date as 2011.

Also, I just read an article called: The state we're in, you can bank on a Rand boom in the Australian WA Today (dated April 18, 2009) that mentions the following:

Quite how this could be squeezed onto a screen is anybody's guess, but a film scripted by Randall Wallace (Braveheart and Pearl Harbor) is slated for two years hence.

I wonder if the rumor mill starting on a new go around...

Michael

[Rush]

IMDB says that Charlize Theron is going to be Dagny I think that we should have olivia newton john or michelle pfeifer about 20 years ago Charlize does look good to play in it I think robert downy would play a very good Ragnar or Fransisco hell maybe even Galt depending on if he could bleach his hair never know

[BaalChatzaf]

IMDB says that Charlize Theron is going to be Dagny I think that we should have olivia newton john or michelle pfeifer about 20 years ago Charlize does look good to play in it I think robert downy would play a very good Ragnar or Fransisco hell maybe even Galt depending on if he could bleach his hair never know

First it was Angalina Jolie who would play Dagny. Then Charlize Theoron. Eventually it will be Dakota Fanning.

Ba'al Chatzaf

[Selene]

IMDB says that Charlize Theron is going to be Dagny I think that we should have olivia newton john or michelle pfeifer about 20 years ago Charlize does look good to play in it I think robert downy would play a very good Ragnar or Fransisco hell maybe even Galt depending on if he could bleach his hair never know

First it was Angalina Jolie who would play Dagny. Then Charlize Theoron. Eventually it will be Dakota Fanning.

Ba'al Chatzaf

Scrooge has spoken!

Lol!

[anonrobt]

IMDB says that Charlize Theron is going to be Dagny I think that we should have olivia newton john or michelle pfeifer about 20 years ago Charlize does look good to play in it I think robert downy would play a very good Ragnar or Fransisco hell maybe even Galt depending on if he could bleach his hair never know

First it was Angalina Jolie who would play Dagny. Then Charlize Theoron. Eventually it will be Dakota Fanning.

Ba'al Chatzaf

Scrooge has spoken!

Lol!

Humbug!!

[Greybird]

If the option expires, due to "production" (principal photography?) not beginning before the end of 2010, that would make just about 40 years of failed attempts. I'd love to see this, but given the track record, I'm not counting on it.

Edited December 25, 2009 by Greybird

[Alfonso Jones]

If the option expires, due to "production" (principal photography?) not beginning before the end of 2010, that would make just about 40 years of failed attempts. I'd love to see this, but given the track record, I'm not counting on it.

Agreed.

Bill P