Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged is apparently moving forward without any talent attached, according to a report from Deadline. The novel, which has been a treasured bedside ornament of the right wing since its release, has been long in the pipeline for an adaptation, with names such as Charlize Theron and Angelina Jolie attached in the past, but never gained traction. Now, the rights holder is starting development in June and self-financing.
While I personally think Atlas Shrugged is overrated, insipid and inaccurate in its definitions of human behaviour and psychology, there are a great many people who will be looking forward to this with bated breath. In the meantime, here’s a few other SF novels currently in the production pipeline.
Brave New World
Aldous Huxley
Brave New World has actually been adapted several times before. It’s okay if you don’t remember, they were more or less totally forgettable. Times were, Leonardo DiCaprio and Ridley Scott were both linked to this project, assumedly produced through Appian Way.
Flowers For Algernon
Daniel Keyes
The big news for a few days last year was that Will Smith would be attached to an adaptation of Keyes’s poignant SF classic Flowers For Algernon. It’s the kind of project that would be excellently suited to a bit of Big Willie Style, but I Am Legend Smith, not Wild Wild West Smith.
Neuromancer
William Gibson
Out of all the novels listed here, this seems like the one that will most likely be on screens first. Vincenzo Natali has been very publicly attached to direct, following his breakthrough with Splice, and he’s given several interviews on tackling a book of this size and import.
The Forever War
Joe Haldeman
Robin Hood hasn’t wowed critics or audiences worldwide, that much is certain, but we’re all looking forward to Ridley Scott’s efforts with The Forever War. Apparently, it’s going to be filmed in 3D a la Avatar, and who couldn’t be excited about mechanised power suits with laser fingers?
Foundation
Isaac Asimov
Roland Emmerich will be taking on Foundation after the release of Anonymous, assuming he ever gets a script from The Patriot scribe Robert Rodat. We spoke to him while 2012 was being released, and he hinted that it would be in 3D. We’re still not convinced that such a sprawling story can be adequately condensed.
