| | During a work break...here's my revised and updated cast:
Galt -- Russell Crowe, simply because he can do anything. Lest ye scoff, remember that this actor can and has gained and lost weight for roles, and been a chameleon in his appearance. He has convincingly portrayed everything from a "master and commander" to a "gladiator" to "a beautiful mind," and never looked the same twice. He has the gravitas, screen presence, strength, intelligence, and raw sex appeal that this role demands.
Dagny -- Though my preferences change from day to day for this difficult-to-cast role, today it's Nicole Kidman. She's sexy, strong, and highly intelligent. Cate Blanchett could do it, too, because she has similar qualities. But to my mind, hers is not the right look: she'd make a far better Dominique in a Fountainhead remake. Jody Foster (see her in "Contact") projects almost all the right qualities except (for me, at least) sexiness -- which, considering the male competition for Dagny, had jolly well better be there. As for sexy, I adore Diane Lane, who certainly has the right look for Dagny, but her personality seems a bit "soft" for the part. My earlier suggestions -- Julianne Moore, Ashley Judd, and Kristin Scott Thomas -- all seem to lack one or more of the Dagny qualities, and also just don't seem quite "tough" enough for the role. Of that group, Ashley Judd is probably the best. So put me down for Kidman, followed by Blanchett, followed by Judd. If I don't change my mind again tomorrow.
Rearden -- Liam Neeson. Harrison Ford, who once would have been perfect, now looks at least a decade too old.
Francisco -- Christian Bale. Okay, I still think Adrian Paul looks even better for the part, but he will probably look too old by the time this gets made.
Ragnar -- Brad Pitt. Now here's the role for Brad: get him back into that Achilles look from "Troy," and he's a perfect fit.
Eddie Willers -- Dennis Quaid, that ever-boyish Nice Guy Next Door.
Lillian Rearden -- Sharon Stone. Nobody does "sexy, manipulative bitch" better. Just imagine her cast against a conflicted Liam Neeson...
James Taggart -- Kevin Spacey. Go read the description in the book, folks.
Dr. Hugh Akston -- Morgan Freeman.
Dr. Robert Stadler -- James Cromwell has intelligence, presence, and range: he can go from "Babe" benevolent to "L.A. Confidential" sinister in a heartbeat.
Cherryl Taggart -- Hilary Swank. She projects a wonderfully fresh innocence. See her in "Insomnia."
Ken Danagger -- Fred Ward. He even looks like a tough old coal miner.
The Wet Nurse -- Leonardo Di Caprio. Forever young, he'll look fresh out of college even ten years from now. Somebody else suggested Chris O'Donnell, and he'd be fine, too.
Midas Mulligan -- Think Irish: Brian Dennehy.
Ellis Wyatt -- Kiefer Sutherland. I mean, can't you just see Jack Bauer blowing up those oil fields?
Quentin Daniels -- Johnny Depp, boy genius.
Mr. Thompson -- Gene Hackman. Imagine him as President, matching wits with Russell Crowe.
Orren Boyle -- James Gandolfini. After all, Boyle is the Tony Soprano of the business world.
Dr. Floyd Ferris -- John Malkovich. A cobra dressed up as a human. If he's unavailable, call in Jeremy Irons, who fits Rand's description even better. In truth, for this part, it's a toss-up.
Dr. Simon Pritchett -- Alan Rickman, if we can transfer him from Hogwarts to Patrick Henry U.
Phil Larkin -- Gregory Itzin. "WHO?" I hear you ask. He's the Richard Nixon look-alike who plays the slimy, double-crossing, treasonous President Charles Logan on "24."
Phillip Rearden -- David Hyde Pierce. Somebody on one of these "Atlas" threads suggested him, and it's inspired casting. "Frasier's" pouting, whining younger brother would be super as Liam Neeson's pouting, whining younger brother.
Wesley Mouch -- William Atherton, the perfect type to play a bland, scheming non-entity. "Who?" That's why he's perfect. See him in "Die Hard": he's the slimy reporter.
Cuffy Meigs -- Steven Seagal, now bloated and dissolute.
Fred Kinnan -- Scott Glenn for the tough-as-nails union boss.
Bertram Scudder -- Jon Lovitz. Can't do any better than that unless it's Danny DeVito (remember him as the gossip columnist in "L.A. Confidential"?).
Gerald Starnes -- Steve Buscemi. I mean, he makes me absolutely sick just looking at him.
Ivy Starnes -- Roseanne Barr. Say no more.
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