ROTTEN TOMATOES: Pitt & Jolie to Tackle the "Atlas"

Pitt & Jolie to Tackle the "Atlas"

by Scott Weinberg | April 27, 2006

Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged" has somehow avoided being turned into a movie for decades, but that might be changing pretty soon. Lionsgate has acquired worldwide distribution rights for the (eventual) film, which will be produced by Howard and Karen Baldwin. Apparently, both Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have an interest in participating.

According to Variety, ""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."

Pitt and Jolie in "Mr. and Mrs. Smith"

...and also that "Angelina Jolie, a longtime devotee of Rand's, and Brad Pitt, also a fan, are rumored to be circling the leading roles of Dagny Taggart and John Galt."

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(1-10 of 10 posts) | Reply

loof writes:
on Apr 27 2006 07:06 AM

[b]yack[/b]
I couldn't stand that book, and it looks like the movie won't be any better.

(Reply to this)

Metaphysician777 writes:
on Apr 27 2006 08:37 AM

[b]Atlas Shrugged Movie[/b]
I think that a movie version of Ayn Rand's brilliant novel "Atlas Shrugged" is long overdue. I wish Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt well in tackling this daunting task. Today's cultural swamp is desparately in need of draining. The production of Rand's greatest work will help to drain this swamp by re-igniting the Enlightenment commitment to reason and reality. However, Jolie and Pitt must prepare for every possible form of sabotage to this project from the radical leftists, altruists, and emotionalists who now control Hollywood's cultural swamp.

(Reply to this)

Callpacas writes:
on Apr 27 2006 09:37 AM

In reply to this comment (#834503)
You do mean the conservative right-wing instead, right?

yea...we haven;t had a apocalyptic film in a while...

(Reply to this)

miniamericanflags writes:
on Apr 27 2006 10:12 AM

[b]This is not a "conservative right-wing" book/movie[/b]
Do not believe these naysayers (especially the ones who can not spell or punctuate properly) about Atlas Shrugged being a right-wing story. It is a story about individuality at its best and the evils of collectivism. Anyone who does not understand that does not understand the philosophy behind the story. Conservatism is plagued with religion and power hunger and these are the complete opposite of the traits the Atlas heroes have. If anything this story villainized right-wing conservatism. Those who say that this is conservatism do NOT understand the philosophy behind the book.

That said, I am not so sure about Brad and Angelina for the roles of the main characters. I am not sure who would be good for these rolls but I just do not see either of them being good for the roles. I think Brad would be better as Ragnar Danneskj�ld, the pretty-boy pirate of the story.

I hope they produce this well. I can not wait to see this great epic on the big screen, no matter if they chose Brangolina or not.

(Reply to this)

njpcirclecity writes:
on Apr 27 2006 10:15 AM

In reply to this comment (#834502)
[b]Quite to the contrary[/b]
Atlas Shrugged is the most amazing book I have ever read. If you want to read a book that will challenge your thinking on many levels, then this is the one! Even though you may not entirely agree with the book's premise, you will undoubtedly appreciate the uniqueness of the ideas presented.

(Reply to this)

synergyred writes:
on Apr 27 2006 10:34 AM

I have NO idea how they're going to turn this ENORMOUS book into an acceptable movie without pissing a lot of people offf...

(Reply to this)

darcko writes:
on Apr 27 2006 03:09 PM

"I have NO idea how they're going to turn this ENORMOUS book into an acceptable movie without pissing a lot of people offf..."

They can always split it in two...

(Reply to this)

loof writes:
on Apr 27 2006 04:56 PM

The thing I didn't like about that book is it seemed to advocate complete independence. Every character in the book seemed to be either an uncaring individualist who was "misunderstood" or a whiny collectivist who was too weak and/or stupid to do anything. There was a lack of any sort of middle ground characters from what I saw. Granted I only read the first 1/4 of the book but after that much I couldn't stand anymore.

(Reply to this)

cowsfan writes:
on Apr 27 2006 07:01 PM

I never read the book. But I know it's one of those sacred literary texts of the 20th century that might likely get ruined in the film process. This happened with 'Bonfire Of The Vanities'. One of my very favorite books and one of the worst movies ever made.

They did the same thing with John Irving's incredible 'The Hotel New Hampshire' which I just couldn't imagine being made into a book anyways.

(Reply to this)

phranq writes:
on Apr 28 2006 07:26 PM

[b]"Conservative" VS. "Liberal" = Both WRONG[/b]
I will explain some of the confusion in the above posts as to 'what side of the fence' the book resides..... neither Left nor Right wing.... and NOT centrist either.

Rand's book is the epitome and symbolic of LIBERTARIAN thought. The Libertarian Party (the 3rd largest political party in America) is obviously Libertarian in ideas however other parties often hold some part of Libertarian ideas and ideals.

Anyway, pushing my utmost surprise aside that two Hollywood darlings see the depth in this (I may need to re evaluate my low opinion of BradJolina... oh god), hopefully this movie will awaken Americans. There actually is a LEGITAMATE third party, an Alternative political ideology that has been blatently subverted by the two dominant parties... yet people are searching for it nonetheless.

Just one FACT about the eye opening potential of this movie. The Libertarian Party is THE 3rd Largest party in America.... NOT the Ross Perot party, NOT the Constitutionalist party, etc. Yet they are ignored EVERY national debate.... even though they allowed Ross Perot to debate (and make a fool out of himself) who had less than HALF the membership!

Bottom Line, Right and Left wingers in the know are aware of the sensibilities of Libertarian thought therefore they keep them out and often 'borrow' their ideas. Hopefully this movie will (borrowing from Floyd) become a Break In The Wall and at least make aware a different way of thinking that is often simmering in many Americans.

Optimistically awaiting this movie.

(Reply to this)

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