Atlas Shrugged Part 2 Begins Principal Photography

Official Atlas Shrugged Movie Blog ^ | April 2, 2012 | Scott DeSapio

[Carlucci]

Atlas Shrugged Part 2 Fully Cast with Shooting to Begin Today

(Beverly Hills, CA) - April 2nd, 2012 - Either-Or Productions announced today that the film adaptation of Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged, Part 2, “Either Or” has been fully cast and principal photography has begun.

Based on Ayn Rand’s (Feb. 2 1905 - Mar. 6 1982) 1957 novel, ATLAS SHRUGGED PART II: EITHER OR is set in a near future dystopian United States with a global economy on the brink of collapse and brilliant creators, from artists to industrialists, mysteriously disappearing at the hands of the unknown.

Starring in the film are Samantha Mathis as the heroine Dagny Taggart, Jason Baghe as the industrialist Henry “Hank” Rearden, and Esai Morales as the playboy Francisco “Frisco” d’Anconia.

[Carlucci]

Wow, looks like they recast all of the main characters. I'm not a huge fan of Esai Morales, but I think he has decent acting chops and will be able to bring some weight to Francisco's "Money Speech", assuming they intend to include it in Part 2.

[drbuzzard]

I didn’t have an issue with any of the cast from the first one, so I don’t really see why they all got recast. Makes you wonder why.

[petro45acp]

Excellent! If the DVD is available by Christmas, that will be another 5 to be provided as stocking stuffers!

[y6162]

I thought the original dagney was great....Taylor Schilling

[Tenacious 1]

That's too bad.... recast all the characters? I think they did well the first time. I doubt they can do better.

That said I have swooning praise and some criticism of the first installment.

They captured and portrayed the book well in the first movie. I was worried about it and couldn't figure out how they were going to do it without overwhelming and confusing and audience. I thoroughly enjoyed the first movie and hated to see it end....because I have read the book.

I am now convinced, the movies will likely only be appreciated by those who have read the book. It is still a piece for those of a more advanced intellect to follow than typical movie goers (IMO) are used to. I base the assumption on the experience of watching it with my (pretty and intelligent) wife. She had never read the book. Thank gawd we were at home where I could pause the movie to answer questions, explain what was happening and who the characters were. I might have smothered her in a theater.

[Chipper]

Will be a little odd seeing new actors as the main characters.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Looks like they recast just about the entire movie. I wonder why?

[ctdonath2]

http://reason.com/blog/2012/02/02/atlas-shrugged-part-two-to-start-filming : “they did not lock down the original cast contractually for sequels, so recasting may be necessary. Original director Paul Johansson ... will definitely not be returning for this second part.”

[Retired Greyhound]

I figured they would have filmed all three movies in a row.

Must have been a funding issue.

I thought the acting was pretty darn bad in the first one, but I still enjoyed the movie and look forward to the next two.

[sneakers]

Mr sneakers and I watched part I, and neither of us have read the book, though I know enough about what it is about. Mr S, though, asked me, at the start of the movie “So what is this supposed to be about?”. He wasn’t too sure he was going to like or understand it. By the end of the movie, he was hooked, and can’t wait for part II. I have to agree about the recast. The cast of part I was excellent.

[Night Hides Not]

I liked the original cast, but that's showbiz. I like the fact that the release date is now scheduled for Oct. 12, instead of Election Day.

My first impression is that the new cast has better resumes, but not much more name value.

[sneakers]

Mr sneakers and I watched part I, and neither of us have read the book, though I know enough about what it is about. Mr S, though, asked me, at the start of the movie “So what is this supposed to be about?”. He wasn’t too sure he was going to like or understand it. By the end of the movie, he was hooked, and can’t wait for part II. I have to agree about the recast. The cast of part I was excellent.

[sneakers]

Mr sneakers and I watched part I, and neither of us have read the book, though I know enough about what it is about. Mr S, though, asked me, at the start of the movie “So what is this supposed to be about?”. He wasn’t too sure he was going to like or understand it. By the end of the movie, he was hooked, and can’t wait for part II.

I have to agree about the recast. The cast of part I was excellent.

[ctdonath2]

I just saw Part 1 (not having read the weighty tome). Struck me that the most pleasing parts were little “why would I do _that_?” anti-socialist comments - bits which most people would not notice or appreciate. Otherwise a good movie, albeit a little overwrought in hyping some scenes.

[sneakers]

oh good grief.

sorry about the double post.

[spaced]

Not locking down the original cast was a big mistake. Recasting will hurt the continuity unless the new cast is almost indistinguishable from the old cast. (Think Dumbledore (buried under the beard) from Harry Potter.)

[Hop A Long Cassidy]

Double Plus Good bump for Original Cast

Why the change? Weakness in the upper levels of management?

[Boonie]

Who is John Galt?

[Boonie]

OK...I see this is a “trilogy”...He won’t be around til the third part........

But, I could not resist my question.....;o)

[DesScorp]

Had no idea the entire cast was chucked. I thought most of the cast was good. As much as I would have liked this franchise to work, I have to blame the guy that has the rights. He seems to have hosed it.