Aaron Eckhart would be the perfect John Galt.

It is more important to me that the person embodies the true nature of the character. He must believe the words that John Galt speaks in order for the audience to take away there true intent. Who says that person must be an actor we know.

Jonathan Hoenig, please!

More generally, though, I'd say that I don't totally buy the "it only matter how well the actor can act" argument. Certainly not for a movie with such a philosophical message that will be seen by so many who share or are sympathetic to that message. Honestly, if you could get some idiot or libtard like Brad Pitt to play Galt brilliantly I would still hate it because I know how completely opposite the actor is to that of Galt.

The actor needs to be a good actor, but doesn't need to be a devout objectivist follower. Sure it would be ideal to have both, but it is the philosophy itself that appeals to anyone inclined to think rationally and not feel guilty for their success or abilities. The genuine appeal of the philosophy is primarily through reason, not emotion.

I have known people who are genuinely impressed and taken by individuals who can "sound" authentic. In my experience those people tend to be liberals. They don't really care about whether the person they regard makes any sense or is genuinely trustworthy, as long as they sound really believable and caring. Do we really want to tailor this movie to those people? In my opinion, they are a lost cause.

Just my $2

Best use a known conservative, Gary Sinse, Jon Voight if older desired. Kelsey Grammer,

I think Tom Selleck would be a great John Galt.

I hate doing this, but IMO A & B are equally important. Gotta LOOK the part (and be the same age range as Taylor, er, Dagny -grins--), but also has to BELIEVE the part he is playing. Someone just acting will tank this production... On the other hand, picking a no-name would also keep pulling this franchise down... You have to remember that there WAS an understated sexual dymnamic as well as a philosophical romance between Galt and Taggart... you lose that you've lost half of the character.

And one other thing... There is a *very* distinctive characteristic John has in the book... Emerald Green Eyes.

All in all - I would also throw in for Jim Caviezel - he IS a strong actor and the right age and IMO could do both the track worker Galt and the Inventor/leader Galt and make it believable.

# A. That is what good acting is all about; being able to convince someone that you are that character...beliefs and all.

Kurt Russell, he is the right age and I do think it will matter in Hollywood the actor's ideas about Ayn Rand. He's a great fit.

Vince Vaughn. Libertarian, favorite book is The Fountainhead. He's not traditionally handsome, but I didn't get the feeling that Galt was fantastically gorgeous either, very tall and commanding. So is Vince, he has a "quality" about him.

B. Given the modest production budget, many of the "names" mentioned would be unavailable so I think you have to hire an actor with some philosophical motivation to appear in the film at a price that would otherwise probably be a discount to his normal rate. And you can't start with an actor that already commands a relatively high rate, so I think we're looking at a high quality TV actor since the wage scale would be more in line with what the production can probably afford. I like Caviziel in Person of Interest, but I find him a bit bland for this role. Sinise is also a great actor but strikes me as a bit soft for the role. I love Fillion but this just isn't the role for him.

My first choices would be imothy Olyphant or Aaron Eckhart. They have the acting chops with the right mix of intensity and purpose in the roles I've seen especially in Live Free or Die Hard and Battleground Los Angeles, respectively.

Another would be Game of Thrones alumni Nikolaj Coster-Waldau or Tom Wlaschiha who played the great and mysterious Jaqen H'ghar.

Keep in mind that unless there is a major change in Hollywood, the actor who plays John Galt may never work there again.
I would like to see someone with at least a high enough IQ to read and understand the complicated ideas. Passion for the ideas is wonderful, but that doesn't make a convincing or talented actor. (Picture Ron Paul as Galt. Nope. Doesn't work).That said, Aaron Eckhart has the perfect look as far as I am concerned.
As with many things, this is a decision that may have to be balanced in both camps. It would be tragic for the actor to badmouth the book in interviews. But it would also be tragic to have the actor be an untalented, yet passionate Objectivist..

From a woman's standpoint he has to have great hair, intelligent, probing eyes, and have the physique of someone who is physically active. He also has to have the ability to (as a day worker) be able to easily converse with someone like Eddie and Dagny as well as being able to fly under the radar when the big Galt dragnet starts. Eckhart's a little too old, but that's a great start. Not a pretty boy, but still great eye appeal.

I'm new to this. So much comments will probably tell.
1st of all, my lady friend & I just sat down this wknd to watch Atlas 1 & 2. I had seen 1 on Netflix already once. I ordered both. She liked the 1st enough to want to watch the 2nd.
Well, call us idealistic, but we were both highly disappointed at all the actors being changed, especially for Reardon & Dagney, bc regardless of anything, they had a real chemistry on the screen. I'm sure it had to do with contracts, such as "Defiance," etc. However, if they cd make what, 6 it 7 Harry Potter movies using all the same folks, well, I guess the point is made, tho rather moot, since it's academic now.
Having said that, our hats' off to the producer(s) for making it interesting enough to eventually put that issue aside. Since I haven't looked at any particulars, I have no clue if they're changing everyone again or keeping them. If they can at least have them look close to the same...the change for Eddie was going extreme.
Now, that bring's us to the "Who is (should be) John Galt?" I think a much younger Charlton Heston wd have been perfect. Unfortunately he wd only be good for part 10 (no offence, just age factor).
I cd see Gary S. doing it. If, as someone suggested, it be possibly a brother, I wd have to say, regardless of age, Denzel W. But I cd also see Kevin Sorbo (not knowing his politics). You may think that a joke. But I think he cd pull it off, if he understood Ayn's work & at least agreed in principal [altho some said 'A' even if the person didn't agree, as long as they were competent actors, I'd have to disagree, bc there are too many lies & deceptions going on in our current gov't already, & if you put say, an ardent Obamanite in John Galt's role, it wd be detrimental to the film, if in fact the film's purpose is to present Ayn's vision...at least in my humble & ltd opinion].
Who's been playing John Galt thus far in the shadows? Is the not capable? Or has that not been him?
Anyways there's a lot of good opinions. Someone said they envisioned a blond. I saw a dark-haired man. If it wasn't for his accent (I think he'd have a time doing anything American accent...at least I've never heard him speak it) wd be Jason Statham. Speaking of Jason's, Matt Damon, altho he might be too short. That's probably why I said Kevin.
What about Christian Bale?
In short, I believe it's going to need to be, as someone said, Door nbr 3, 'C', a mix of both. OK. That's enuff from a ramblin' ADH'er (that's someone blessed w ADHD! :-D ).

I would prefer a believable character, more commited to the qualitiy of his craft than his public persona, believably capable of disciplined violence. Timothy Olyphant and Jim Caviezel come to mind.

Ken Wahl

I think Timothy Olyphant would make a great Galt... And if he hasn't been introduced to Atlas Shrugged yet, by asking him to do this role he could be irrevocably changed.

If we were to look at it from an Objectivist point of view, I think the answer would be A. As long as he is passionate about his job, that being an actor portraying Galt, it will be done justice.

Vince Vaughn - he is John Galt !

Looked up "Conservative" actors and there is a list of about 146. Many well known, but older and some passed. It was incomplete though because many other known ones were not on it. 2 older ones I love who would have been good, Tom Selleck or Kurt Russell. The "Rock" might be good, but A william Levy comes to mind. He is young and actually from Cuba. I remember him saying on DWTS that people do not realize how bad communism is in Cuba, how bad the people had it. He tried briefly to describe what it really meant and how wonderful America is. He would be able to grasp and hopefully convey Rand's message due to his understanding of Communism. He is a hunk too!

Pierce Brosnan would be a good candidate

Who is John Galt? Gotta be an unknown actor.

A. Eric Dane or James Caviezel.
Daniel Craig will be a good Ragner D

Timothy Ollaphant comes to mind not sure what his political beliefs are.

I think there should be a public notice of a "casting call". I believe there should be a few requirements of the final few, selected readers for the part such as:
1. Must be agreeable to salary offered within the budget. (even if it's a well known actor)
2. Must be someone that meets the overall profile of John Galt.
3. Must have read the book "ATLAS SHRUGGED".
4. Must have knowledge of Ayn Rand and her philosophy.
5. Finally, must do a reading in front of an oral board of Ayn Rand readers.
If someone is found that meets all the requirements of 1-4 above, they will "ace" the 5th requirement and you've found our John Galt.