About a month and a half ago, in Atlas Shrugged movie finally filming?!, my co-blogger Jacob Huebert updated us on the Atlas Shrugged movie. Now, thanks to Reason Magazine and Reason.tv, we are privileged to see behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.
I’ll admit I was leery of the current iteration of the project, but I am somewhat reassured to hear that Atlas Shrugged will be made into three movies, not one, which is more doable. I’m also reassured that the director and the actor playing Henry Rearden seem to have a decent handle on Ayn Rand’s vision and characters, though I was a bit disquieted by the director mispronouncing Rand’s first name.
From Reason.com’s Hit & Run blog (video below):
Many actors and producers have talked about adapting Ayn Rand’s classic Atlas Shrugged for the big screen, but 53 years after its publication no one has dared tackle the ambitious project—until now.
Reason.tv heads to the set of Atlas Shrugged Part One to offer viewers a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of this most anticipated film.
Director Paul Johansson (One Tree Hill) and Grant Bowler (Lost, True Blood, Ugly Betty), who plays Henry Rearden, discuss the perils, pressures, and pleasure involved in telling the epic tale of a society where the “men of the mind” go on strike and refuse to contribute to a collectivist world.
Produced by Ted Balaker and Hawk Jensen. Camera by Austin Bragg and Hawk Jensen. Production support by Sam Corcos.
Music: “Eu Nao Sabia” by Anamar available from Magnatune Records.
Approximately 5.3 minutes.
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Cross-posted at Is-Ought GAP.
For some reason, I’m heartened that they are doing it low-budget, with no-name actors, over three parts. Just seems like it would have been a disaster to do it with the drama and compromises of a big star and big Hollywood production. The main thing that concerns me is they were apparently in a huge rush to start filming to avoid losing the rights–that might mean a rushed job.
How ironic that IP may damage the creative translation of her magnum opus into film.
Or is it poetic justice.