Apocalypse Near? Liberal Actresses Line Up to Star in ‘Atlas Shrugged’
by Pam MeisterFirst off, let me ask the question: in today’s PC, non-sexualized world, am I allowed to use the word “actress?” I guess I’ll chance it.
My friend Kitty sent me this link to an article about the ongoing saga of turning the 1,100 page book “Atlas Shrugged,” by Ayn Rand, into a feature film:
Rand’s popular but polarizing book — it’s derided by many literary critics but has a huge public following — tells the story of Dagny Taggart, a railroad executive trying to keep her corporation competitive in the face of what she perceives as a lack of innovation and individual responsibility.
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.
Although it was written a half-century ago, producers say that the book’s themes of individualism resonate in the era of Obama, government bailouts and stimulus packages — making this the perfect moment to bring the 1,100-page novel to the big screen.
Rumors about Angelina Jolie’s interest in the film have been swirling about for some time, but Charlize Theron? Julia Roberts? Anne Hathaway? What’s up with that? Let’s take a look at these lovely ladies and their left-wing credentials, talented actresses though they may be:
Julia Roberts: During a fundraiser for Al Gore’s run for the presidency back in 2000, she explained her preference for Democrats over Republicans by saying the word “Republican” is right between “reptile” and “repugnant” in the dictionary. Tee hee. She also described former President George W. Bush as “embarrassing. He’s not my president and he never will be either.”
Back in 2006, Roberts was also in favor of California’s Proposition 87, which would have taxed oil to fund alternative energy research. (It ultimately failed at the voting booth.) I guess growing your own kale stamps out the carbon footprint of traveling on private jets.
Charlize Theron: According to this bright light, Americans are just as oppressed as the good folks of Cuba. From a CNN interview:
Theron: No, but I do remember not too long ago some people getting fired from their jobs in television because they spoke up on how they felt about the war.
CNN: Do you think the lack of freedoms in Cuba are parallel to the lack of freedoms in the United States?
Theron: Well, I would, I would compare those two, yes, definitely.
Has she ever heard Dwight Schultz’s story of being called a “Reagan a**hole” by director Bruce Paltrow at Schultz’s audition for the television show St. Elsewhere? My guess would be no. Theron, like Roberts, didn’t have nice things to say about Bush either, calling “him irresponsible and taking exception with politicians in their very expensive suits and air-conditioned buildings, telling us how our soldiers are doing in Iraq. “I wonder what she thinks of her man Obama in his expensive designer suits in a wintertime toasty-warm Oval Office, telling us how our soldiers are doing in Afghanistan.
Anne Hathaway: The young woman whose road to stardom began by playing a princess of a fictional European country, is really concerned about the disparity of wealth in America. “Right now, the disparity between the uber-rich and the uber-poor, it’s worrying and it’s not getting better. We need to focus on a way to just get our economy back, to get it back on track.” By the way, Hathaway earns $5 million per film, and might be on her way to asking for $8 million. Maybe she’s talking about the disparity between her salary and that of Angelina Jolie, who earns $15 million per film…
And what about her support for Obama during the election? Was it due to his policies, his experience, his ability to get the job done? Not so much: “He inspires us to be the best Americans we can be.” Wow, that’s deep. I understand so much more now.
Frankly, out of the three, Hathaway seems to be the most obvious choice, as Theron and Roberts are just a little too long in the tooth to play the young Dagney. Darn it, there I go again with the non-PC stuff. According to the “Today Show,” 40 is the new 20. Sorry.
What’s so confusing here is that Ayn Rand’s writings reflected views that are antithetical to those held by left-wing libs, especially many in Hollywood:
Politically, Rand wanted to provide liberal capitalism with a moral foundation, to take on the prevalent notion that communism was a noble if unworkable idea while the free market was a necessary evil best suited to flawed human nature. In this she succeeded brilliantly (even if the notion that socialism failed because it has never been properly tried is still alive and well among the intelligentsia). Her arguments against “compassionate” redistribution–and persecution–of wealth have lost none of their power in the decades after they were made.
Perhaps they think the script will ultimately “improve” the book to match current politically correct views on life and society.
If these ladies are serious about being in the film, they’d best start reading the book now. Maybe they’ll be finished with it by 2010, which is when producers Howard and Karen Baldwin are hoping to start filming.
As Kitty said in her e-mail, “You’d think they wouldn’t be caught dead in a ‘conservative’ movie. Which only goes to prove that Hollywood lefties do have their price.” Seeing as the movie’s projected budget is currently in the $50 million range but could go up, I can see her point.
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637 Comments
Don't worry, they'll change the story to fit the politics of the actresses. Bush will be the president and hedge funds and Big Oil will be the bad guys.
Or maybe, if they choose Roberts, they can turn Atlas Shrugged into a romantic comedy?
With regards to your first point. I can't be the only woman who finds calling women "actors" really, realy insulting. (Can I? Serious question.) It reinforces the idea that there's just a male universe, hence the use of "actor" and "female actor", (not "male actor" and "female actor") with women on the periphery. Also, why is it supposedly complentary to call a woman an "actor", but insulting to call a man an "actress"? Is there something wrong with being female? It's not PC, it's just misogyny.
I'd actually like to see someone like Angelina Jolie in this role. Maybe I'm not giving the women featured here enough credit, but I don't see them being able to show the required quiet inner steel that would be required. These guys bring waaay too much baggage, even if they could step up.
Randall Wallace is doing the screenplay. He wrote BRAVEHEART and WE WERE SOLDIERS ONCE, two movies with conservative viewpoints. I doubt that he will butcher it. These actresses probably heard that this was a great role and have no clue as to what the book is about. I have heard that Jolie is actually a follower of Rand.
I can't imagine any of these actresses actually reading Atlas Shrugged. It's very long and doesn't have any illustrations in it. Probably, the most in depth thing they ever read is the latest issue of Vogue.
Why are you so surprised by this? Just because Ayn Rand was a hardcore fiscal conservative does not mean she was conservative. In fact, from what I understand, Ayn Rand was exceptionally liberal when it came to social issues. It's not really a surprise that liberals would latch onto the entire stupid premise of objectivism.
They're gonna do it for the money. And then, when asked how they managed to read dialogue that is the opposite of their personal beliefs, the response will be, "It's called 'acting'."
Then they'll cash their multi-million dollar checks and go back to railing about income disparity.
Actresses and actors pretend in every film, it's what they do– pretend to be smart, pretend to be courageous, pretend to be educated. It's always a hoot the way the politicians and MSM interview them as if they really are the way they pretend to be. I wonder, if one pretends to be a conservative….. maybe no more invitations to testify before congress?
She wasn't a conservative. She had a unique world view that doesn't fit into conservatism ad definitely not into liberalism. She had some choice advice for conservatives in 1956 which they will have to heed if they want to ever take power again. Get rid of the Social cons, and I agree.
I've heard that about Jolie too, and hope she gets the part, at least over these other three. When I saw that list, I had a hard time believing that they knew what it was and still wanted to do it. I was wondering when BH would comment on it, because the idea of any of those three in this movie is almost laughable. Though maybe they'd learn a thing or two?
And yes, getting rid of "actress" is silly and insulting.
I've read that Rand's estate is very adamant that they won't let her work be perverted with any Liberal nonsense. I think several screenplays have been rejected because they haven't held up the standard that the Rand estate demands. If it makes it to the screen it will have to be true to its message. I personally think that Roberts, Theron and Hathaway don't really understand the contradictions between their professed beliefs and their desire to do the film. I bet a lot of the interest is simply because it's something Jolie wants to do and the other women would love to pluck this plum out from under Jolie. Angelina is the only one I'd give credit for being intelligent enough to actually understand what Rand's philosophy was.
I think the main actors and female actors or whatever you're supposed to call them, should be required to read the book and then tell the producers the general "concept".
The Matrix guys (directors/writers) gave the script to people they were interested to cast in the 1st film then quizzed them as to the concepts. Most had no idea, some did. This will be a very hard thing to do in the contempo Hollywood as only certain ideas are allowed.
That's good to hear. I hope they stay firm in their convictions!
Oh NO. Not J. Roberts again! Please!
How about Angie Harmon for the role?
I'm sure any of these actresses would be just as convincing playing Dagny Taggart as Denise Richards was playing a nuclear physicist.
I know she doesn't have the star power of Theron and Roberts, but how about Angie Harmon?
I was thinking the same thing…. not only would i guess they have not read Shrugged. but I have my doubts they've ever read any Rand and comprehended what was being told. If "understanding" Rand was a requirement.. my guess would be the closest of the lot would be Jolie, but I don't' know if she has the look I think of when I think of Tagert (of course, she could prove me wrong.).. I keep thinking Rachel Weisz would have the right look(?)
Can't disagree with the assertion that many actresses are bimbos who are just good at pretending, however, has it occurred to anyone that maybe the reason these women might want the role is that if it's true to the book, it would be one of the few genuinely strong female roles in the history of modern cinema?
What people who were fired from the jobs in television can Charlize be speaking of? Fired for speaking up about the war? No one comes to mind. Perhaps Charlize should go back to spandex cat fights?
Incidentally, Anne Hathaway isn't just rich now, she grew up rich — her father is a partner at a big law firm. So like all of her ilk, she really, really wants to take from the middle class to give to the poor. Because giving her own money away just would never occur to her — her father probably has it all nicely tied up in trusts, foundations and shelters.
I really don't think that this book has a chance to get translated into a movie because the Rand estate has final approval rights. Judging by some of the comments above, even folks that think they understand basic premises of Objectivism miss dreadfully. Well, unless you entirely change the definition.
Benjamin Pierce's comment made me laugh out loud. Contradicting the definitions and your own philosophy in the same comment is just stupid. The thought of liberals latching on to ANY philosophy is beyond my comprehension.
The right people need to write, direct and act in the script. Anything else would be a travesty. Hollywood will hate it. Maybe time for an Indy to come along and produce it. I am hard pressed to think of a female lead? Or maybe make it a comedy and cast Jeanine Garofolo.
If that were the case, Roberts would be out because she lacks the skill to pull it off. Her Erin Brockovich was just the prostitute from Pretty Woman with a self-righteous flair……same with Hathaway (go do another Get Smart and leave the thinking roles to the grown ups). Theron has the skill to do it, but can she be faithful to the character?
I by no means advocate deciding who gets the role based on their political beliefs, but looking at that list (with the exception of Jolie) makes me cringe.
Does Angie Harmon have the skill to pull it off? I think Jolie does, and so does Theron. Hopefully they get someone with the skill to be faithful to the character and the spirit of the story.
From what you understand …. have you read the book?
Anything with Jeanine Garofolo in it would be a horror movie…..
Reading recent posts, I'd say Angie Harmon is perfect for the role. She gets it. As for Galt, D'Anconia and Danneskjold, we'd be hard-pressed to find appropriate stars … any ideas??? Filling the roles of James Taggart, Wesley Mouch, etc should be no problem in Hollywood.
I have never under stood her appeal.
You beat me to it!
I would very much like to see an unknown, perhaps British, actress get the role.
Famous
stars are just a distraction.
And for the finale, Roberts will eat a railroad baron without even having to stretch her mouth.
Lord knows she's better looking by half than most of the other contenders.
I see the ending as 40 minutes of Roberts just smirking or laughing.
Liberals are being exposed as soulless robots by their man Obama. He is proving that liberalism is only good at destroying dreams.
And the mouth that roared will probably, as you said, have no idea what she was actually doing. Sorta like Priscilla Presley being interviewed after "Naked Gun" and reputedly being amazed to find out that it was a comedy.
I would be very surprised if any of those women take the role as it is out of their comfy zone… I would like to see Jolie in the role of Dagny… At least she is considered an Independant/Republican last time I checked… Not that that matters, but I think their political leanings would matter in being true to the story…. And I am glad I am not the only one thinking that Angie Harmon would be a good choice too.
I believe her Dad John Voight is a conservative…might be true
This comment is hilarious. A British actress to play Dagny Taggart. Why not just pick an albino African?
How about Barney Frank for Wesley Mouch? That would save on screenwriting. Just turn the camera on, and let him talk.
Not really a feature lead. I doubt she can "open" a big budget film, and has far less international cred than the others, so producers wouldn't give her the part (Baywatch and Law & Order were both a looong time ago). Although considering Roberts' movie tanked, she may not have much overseas cred left either.
I got 100 pages in, and decided My Struggle was a better read.
Her stuff is tedious, long winded, arrogant, and boring. However, I do expect from her writings that she would be a fiscal conservative – and socially very liberal. But, ugh.. her stuff is work to read, it really is.
Maybe, just maybe, they will fulfil the role of the wet nurse (Tony) who finally came around. Then again, maybe they'll wind up like Cheryl Taggart..
I think it's amusing that the same people who complain that conservatives are "blacklisted" in Hollywood want to blacklist liberals.
Perhaps, we should call the, all "actrons", (Greek 2nd declension NEUTER).
Angelina Jolie is the only modern actress with the chops to play Dagney Taggert (IMHO). For Galt and D'Anconia, I'd suggest Gerard Butler for Galt and James Caviazel (sp) for D'Anconia. I cannot believe any serious casting director would consider Julia Roberts for any role unless there's a remake of "Francis the Talking Mule". She'd make a perfect Francis. How Anne Hathaway got into film, I don't know. I saw "The Devil Wears Prada" and she virtually vanishes into the celluloid. She reminds me of Julia Ormand who was supposed to be an up and comer ("First Knight"), then totally destroyed the remake of "Sabrina" with her horrible acting — as if "Sabrina" could be remade.
Harrison Ford didn't do himself any good either. The comparison to Humphrey Bogart was PAINFUL.
So far as Ayn Rand's philosophy – as well described in both "Shrugged" and "Fountainhead" — she bristled at being called a feminist or a conservative. She was an atheist, I believe and not very complimentary about women in general. She was from the USSR and knew the horrors of Communism/Socialism. She believed in the Individual over the state. I can recommend "We the Living" and "Anthem" as marvelous books.
She must be thinking of South Africa… :/ She may be pretty to look at but she confuses easily… that's why she is a "female actor"… :/
Most of these actors, actress, whatever you call them compartmentalize their art and their politics. Vanessa Redgrave has done this for years. I respect her for keeping her professional life and her political. separate. In fact, so separate that Pro-Palestinian groups protested outside the theatre during her run of "Orpheus Descending" in 1989 because she would not speak out during the run of the show.
Charlize must be thinking of South Africa… :/ She may be pretty to look at but she confuses easily… that's why she is a "female actor"… :/
Also understand that it is imperative for Barry Obama to play the role of Phillip Rearden. There is not a single better person. Incapable of accomplishing anything, and is forever fed by someone that is his better.
The perfect summary of Ayn Rand:
http://encyclopediadramatica.com/Ayn_Rand
This article killlllllls me. I am of the firm opinion that this book should not be made into a movie. It would be best (and heavens knows I'm working on making it happen) be a series on some cable network (think "Tudors" or "Rome"). Hopefully they don't let some toothy actress butcher Dagny.
Objectivism, like conservatism, is subject to intelligent interpretation. And we've all seen what happens with Hollywood's unintelligent definition of conservatism. Thinking what they could do with objectivism gives me the whim-whams. And as for Hollywood's liberal "philosophy," I think it's mostly "I'm ready for my closeup, Mr. Demille."
hee hee, liberal actresses reading a book….that's a good one! right after they finish the Bible…it's on the bedside table.
Benjamin,
Who was your favorite character in the book, and why?
Ayn
Theron and Roberts are too old. Hathaway is a lightweight. Jolie would be OK but a distraction.
I think Rose Byrne is dynamite. She's the right age and attrective without looking like a princess. You could get her for a lot less than than these others and put the money into the production. Atlas Shrugged doesn't need big stars to be a blockbuster.
Not really…. just want a person that would stay true to the character and not try to re-write the story for their own political agenda…. I enjoy watching all of these actors in their own rite… and I don't know about anyone else, but If I knew an actor(ess) was playing a role that went against their beliefs I wouldn't be able to get past it… Maybe I am just shallow that way, but it's how I am… I still watch movies with Susan Surandon and Jane Fonda and very much enjoy them…. but I would rather not see them in roles they might skew the meanings to bend to their political leanings… :/
She is also reported to be pro-gun, which is doctrinarely anti-Hollywood. Of course he father is the great John Voight, she has the right blood coursing through her veins.
Ya, he was on T.V. all through the fall proclaiming so, at least someone in Hollywood hasn't totally lost touch with America.
"I got 100 pages in, and decided My Struggle was a better read. "
Getting the summary of it off of the internet was a much better option than wading through a mountain of horrible writing.
Most things that are worth it are. Keep at it, though! The book on CD is about 42 of them, and the first time, Mr. Galt's speach is a bit much, but after a while, I got it.
For anyone who has read the book . . . wouldn't it be poetic to have Jolie as Dagny and Pitt as Rearden? It's life imitating art.
Don't have a problem with your first statement, and the second part is actually true.
Or maybe you lolbertarians, objectivists, and social liberals could leave the conservative movement. Go on ahead, you won't be missed.
My friends and I used to cast "Atlas Shrugged" just for fun. I always thought that Drew Barrymore would play a terrific Cheryl Taggart. The tycoon Hank Reardon? Ed Harris! And Uma Thurman as the incredibly glamorous, evil Lilian Reardon.
I think Keanu Reeves would be perfect as Elliot Wyatt, the Colorado Oil tycoon who sets his own fields ablaze to keep the government from taking them. Can you just see the scene with Dagny and Hank on the train, flying across the bridge made of Reardon Metal, seeing the crowds and crowds of people come to see the John Galt line on her first run? And Elliot Wyatt, grabbing Dagny from the steps and swinging her around and around, his totally dead-pan face for once alight with joy? Oh, Keanu could play that role so well.
Oh, this is going to make a fabulous movie. Cast every left winger if they want — they're meat puppets anyway. Tell the incomparable story! Tell it!
Yep.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jul/28/v...
I first read it when I was 12 … I had no problem with it. That was 1973. What's wrong with people today, they can't get through something if it isn't immediately gratifying??
Benjamin, we get it, you're an idiot. Okay. Okay. Okay. You have made your point, we believe you.
I think it's been reported that he's a "blue dog democrat".. (conservative dem).. but dunno if he's ever confirmed/denied that.
I've had that thought too! A five year show, starting and ending on September 2, the date used in the novel to mark the years. You'd have the time to really tell the tale. You could develop every plot line and not rush. And more and more people would be educated into the horrors of socialism as they watched the show…
Again, not sure who your favorite character was by your response. Perhaps you could point out where you got the summary, and I could learn more about your disdain.
But then again, a wise man once told me, "What comes from your lips says more about you than it does about me."
"The thought of liberals latching on to ANY philosophy is beyond my comprehension. "
I'm guessing you've never heard of the Bolsheviks?
I think that social cons do need to get back to where we play our hand from the home, the local church congregation and local community organizations. But I will apply the same rules to all. Leftist organizations are not permitted to piggyback onto government, receive funding and indoctrinate.
Oh, but the lonely life of a small "L" libertarian who personally lives a boring, conservative life.
Love it!
Which, Atlas Shrugged or Mein Kampf.
They made a movie of Mein Kampf (My Stuggle, for those of you just tuning in…) It was called World War 2. You can see it almost daily on the History Channel. Took about 5 1/2 years to make, but there is a ton of action, gore, and a moral at the end. (The Japanese version has huge explosions too!)
Absolutely, but what does that have to do with philosophy? I can round up cattle for their vaccinations or slaughter, too.
Hah. That reminds me of a cartoon I saw onece.
A woman dressed like a character from "Snuffy Smith" standing at the end of long country path next to her mailbox. Her hands on her hips, bent over scolding her dog who has something in his mouth, tail wagging furiously. The caption reads "You give me my Cosmo or I'll wop ya!".
Mein Kampf. Wasn't as cold or soulless either.
Hah. That reminds me of a cartoon I saw once.
A woman dressed like a character from "Snuffy Smith" standing at the end of long country path next to her mailbox. Her hands on her hips, bent over scolding her dog who has something in his mouth, tail wagging furiously. The caption reads "You give me my Cosmo or I'll wop ya!".
Convince me that Objectivism is great.
http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=o...
http://aynrandlexicon.com/
http://www.conservapedia.com/Objectivism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Objectivism_(Ayn_Ran...
They'll waterboard John Galt, played by Sean Penn.
Exactly!
When everyone on bighollywood started talking about bringing Hollywood to the south/states that are conservative…I couldnt help but thin that this would be the perfect story to do it with.
Jolie is the only one I'd suspect might have the brains and the interest in getting the character right. I don't think she would shame her dad Jon Voight like that.
Easy there… most idiots won't believe you when you reveal it to them, and the rest of us watching him troll already came to that conclusion. He tried to be clever with the "My Struggle" bit. I think he thinks he is much smarter than us.
Truth be told, I would love to have a real discussion with him, but he toys with almost witticisms and cute dodges of direct questions. If it weren't for the anonymity of the Internet, he would most likely fail at any intellectual discussion of reason.
The beauty of Objectivism is that you are free to fail. Unfortunately, in America, that right is being taken away.
Jolie is the only one I'd suspect might have the brains and the interest in getting the character right. I don't think she would shame her dad Jon Voight by being intellectually dishonest with the character. Just a hunch.
How in the hell do "conservatives" get rid of social conservatives? They are one in the same! Makes no sense, Alex…were you perhaps speaking of the Republican party?
This is good news. Thanks for sharing.
Let's see: The Bolsheviks were a bunch of pissed off Russians who latched on to the philosophy of Communism, and wrecked their country to this day.
I agree with you that they should stay true to the message of the book, and if the actress selected wanted substantial changes, that would definitely be a reason not to select her for the role.
But if they're willing to stay true to the source, an actor (actress)'s political views should not affect their ability to get roles no matter how vocal they are, and that applies to conservatives acting in liberal movies as well. I think the original article writer disagrees with that premise.
What's in it for me?
Objectivism comes from the basic premise that all men are equal. The ultimate minority is that of the individual. Hard to argue that point. My success is not tied to your failure in any way. I earn and succeed based solely upon my own actions. You fail based solely upon yours.
OK, but this will not be a diatribe, because I choose for it not to be. What do you do for a living?
He got it from the New York Times Book Review. You know, where all the smart liberals get their reading material pre-digested and the official party line established.
Maybe they can make a female version of the Three Stooges. Here are 3 great candidates.
I can live with Angelina Jolie as Dagny, but Angie Harmon would be terrific. However, every time I read Atlas Shrugged, I can't help but envision Eva Green.
That being said, Rose Byrne is a GREAT call DamnCat.
Not many others come to mind, but for some reason I can't help but see Connor Trineer as Hank Reardon. You may've seen him recently in 24 and Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles, as well as a staring roll in Star Trek Enterprise.
She endorsed the Republican Party in a video (not meaning that she's conservative of course). She might have seen them as the safer bet as to who would protect freedom (I know a lot of libs out there are scratching their heads).
Leave it to a leftist to praise Mein Kampf.
With Fred Armisen (SNL's Obama) as "Mr. Thompson, the Head of State." The story needs some comic relief. I see plenty of teleprompter gags.
She gave a message to the Republican Party in a video (not meaning that she's conservative of course). She might have seen them as the safer bet as to who would protect freedom (I know a lot of libs out there are scratching their heads).
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