OK, You guys are going to jump me because of his age, but who said he has to be young? Just needs to be Passionate: William De Vane

B. The actor must possess a love and understanding for Ayn Rand's message, however he must also be an actor of skill above all else. An actor of the same talent as Kevin Costner.

I've always thought that Scott Glenn would make a good John Galt. He has the kind of rough good looks that make him stand out, and yet be believable as a common worker in the rail yards of Taggart Transcontinental.

Cillian Murphy- New guy and very capable as well as Irish lol

The actor's physical appearance will be most important. A strong jawed, rugged, upright and obviously athletic man's man. Not some typical Hollywood fag. Voice tonality, crisp and baritone, should match physical appearance.

My choices, in order of personal priority: Tom Selleck, Jim Caviezel, Gary Sinise. Each apparently has the first characteristic necessary to the role, believability. Experience is abundant in each, more so in Selleck. I don't think the age difference is particularly important, but I do believe all are fully competent and capable actors.

Good question. This is still Hollywood, is it not? I vote for A but try to get A & B if you can! Antonia Banderras? SEan Connery? Harrison Ford?

Please go back to the Dagny in Part I!

A. because that is what actors are paid to do. Steve Buscemi comes to mind.

I like the choices that others have listed and I feel it is important that whoever it is, needs to understand it with some passion. When launching a new movie today, the actors get interviewed to promote it. It would be much better if they were SELLING the ideas and not just the film.

The actor just needs to have some respect for Ayn Rand's ideas and for capitalism, and even moreso a love of her storytelling and characters, her overall heroic vision. He needs to actually read the novel (not just the screenplay). And he has to have a relaxed yet focused, efficient style, a twinkle in his eye, naturally exuding an inner glow of energy and love of life. I would cast an unknown with the qualities of the young Clint Eastwood, Paul Newman, Sean Connery, Christopher Reeve, Ronald Reagan. Of today's actors, Daniel Craig and Daniel Day Lewis are good choices but obviously too expensive.

B - The character is in a book and outside being blond, nothing is really known about appearance that 100's of actors couldn't meet. Deep understanding of Objectivisim and Atlas Shrugged will be critical to being believable in the role.

GARY SINISE? Talented, but he is 58 years old. DANIEL CRAIG? He's 45; that's more like it! In real life, he's the same age as Grant Bowler (Hank Rearden in AS-1).

Interestingly, someone mentioned Gary Cooper. It's true that he certainly fit Ayn's written description of John Galt. After all, he was tall, blonde, slender, and earnestly considered -as was the love of her life, her husband, Frank O'connor. Cooper starred in Any Rand's "The Fountainhead" (1949), Years later, Cooper freely admitted that upon reflection, while playing the part of the main character who defended himself in the all-important court scene, in what was meant to be a passionate defense of justice, he'd not at the time, really understood what he was saying. Otherwise, he'd not have delivered it (his words; not mine) "so woodenly". I do not disagree with his assessment. Thing is... Because Cooper was born in 1901, he'd be 112 years old if he were still alive which he isn't because he died in 1961 -some 42 years ago. So he's out.

Actually, the fellow who played Hank Rearden in AS-1 could've played an excellent John Galt, as well. I'd rather imagined a darker-haired, more physically intense sort of fellow for Hank (a younger version of Jeff Chandler, Clark Gable or even Tom Selleck).

When in comes to GALT? The face, body and demeanor of the younger Kevin Costner when he did "Dances with wolves" 23 years ago was sensitive enough to've passed the test quite handily.

I see that people've said there's no way A list actors could be in the budget. But remember, there was a time, not so long ago that Pitt-Jolie owned the movie rights to Atlas Shrugged. That being the case, it's remotely possible that Brad might, just might, be willing to do it for considerably less than his usual fee on account of his apparent regard for the story. He's certainly familiar with the philosophy; otherwise, they'd never have forked over a cool million for the rights. There's a pretty good possibility he'd even consider it a feather in his cap. You could ask; the worst thing he could do is say, "No!" And even if he couldn't or wouldn't? I daresay he'd most likely have a few suggestions of others well worth considering.

Checked out men mentioned in this post and Aaron Eckhart, Clive Own and Eric Dane should definitely be considered. Don't know what their politics are, but having Eric pull me from that wreckage would certainly make recovery much quicker!

A is of course essential for a movie, actors are just doing their thing : acting. What the actor opinions are outside of his role in the movie is of no importance.

Gerard Butler. He was amazing as the Phantom, rocked the role of King Leonidas, and holds his own in romantic comedy, thriller, and even sic-fi. And those eyes. . . don't know much about his personal beliefs, but willing to tutor him in the Objectivist philosophy ; )

I think there is only one man who can play the role of John Galt... Capitalist, entrepreneur and great American... DONALD TRUMP.

Going with B first but not forgetting A...

Or Dennis Miller

It Should Have Been Me....Not Good Looking,A Veteran, I'm An Objectivist And A Conservative....And Y'all Have Met Me In Dallas

Jon Voight, Gary Sinese, Bruce Willis, or Tom Cruise

Neil Patrick Harris
Chris Pine
Karl Urban

The message will be lost by an actor who understands but does not perform the part well. I prefer a professional who can make me believe and understand even if they do not: I suspect such an actor may walk away with a different perspective after ASP3.

Given the choice, I would go back to Paul Johansson, who played the shadowy character I believe was supposed to be Galt in the first film, but was never really identified. To me, he seems to be the type that would jump right out of the pages of Atlas Shrugged, and I was actually kind of irked that they replaced him in the second film with DB Sweeney, who is also a fine actor, but not the kind I'd associate with Galt.

My second choice, should Johansson decline or otherwise not be available, would be Caprica lead actor Eric Stoltz. I've seen him in several films (one of them actually being about Ayn Rand), and he is a terrific actor.

I think the actor has to believable . If he is an outright high profile liberal (Sean Penn), I do not think I would want to see the movie..
I cannot think of anyone to play John Galt. Perhaps a newcomer would do.

Jim Caviezel
John Voight
Gary Sinise