Galt's Gulch
13

Who is Dagny Taggart?

Posted by sdesapio 11 years, 3 months ago to Entertainment
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Beautiful, tenacious, and fearless, Dagny Taggart has inspired women and men alike for over 50 years.

As Atlas Shrugged Part 3 heads to production, some major decisions still lay ahead. For the past several months, we've read all over the web everything from "Taylor was PERFECT!" to "Samantha IS Dagny!" to "You should have case [INSERT NAME HERE]!"

Now it's time for you to tell us directly. Who is Dagny Taggart?

Taylor from Part 1? Samantha from Part 2? If you had to pick someone else, who would it be? Beyond her ability to embody the character of Dagny Taggart, what else should be considered when casting Dagny? Should she already be an advocate of Ayn Rand's ideas? Should she have at least read Atlas?

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  • Posted by ctarbat 11 years, 3 months ago
    Taylor was the best Dagny by a landslide, I also preferred everyone from the first cast as well in particular Graham Beckel as Ellis Wyatt who was perfect for his role.
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  • Posted by lynneifer 11 years, 3 months ago
    I pictured someone like Gwenyth Paltrow as Dagney when I was reading the book, and someone like Jack Wagner, Brad Pitt or Leonardo D'Caprio for Francisco. Not sure about Hank, but someone tall and well built. Also, James Taggart i pictured as someone skinny and tall, but meeky looking. Maybe thinning hair and small round glasses.
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  • Posted by rickard13 11 years, 3 months ago
    Taylor from Part 1 for sure, in fact I prefer the entire cast of part 1 and was dissapointed when I found out the cast was different for part 2. I feel that is was completely unnecessary to change the cast.
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  • Posted by richrobinson 11 years, 3 months ago
    I think all the time and energy needs to be put into the script. Both women did a great job portraying Dagney but lets remember the message is whats important not the messanger.
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  • Posted by ccanfield1 11 years, 3 months ago
    I think Talyor was great in Part 1. If you could get her and Grant back together; they both were great actors and had such a great chemistry. I think getting the best actor possible is the most important thing. Having read Atlas Shrugged would be nice in order for them to understand the message of the original material.
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  • Posted by Joshuagbsn 11 years, 3 months ago
    Taylor was outstanding, and played the part very well. Grant Bowler also changed how my mind's eye sees Hank Rearden in the book. Both of them were fantastic choices that I'd like to see return.
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  • Posted by zeuszima 11 years, 3 months ago
    Taylor should reprise her role as Dagny. She was basically an unknown and was able to entrance herself in the role completely, however any one selected definitely should have read the complete Atlas novel and understand how it predicts what is happening to our nation and the rest of the world today. Preferably, any one being cast should also be an advocate of Ayn Rand's ideas instead of just looking for a job.
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  • Posted by weewilly 11 years, 3 months ago
    Also bring back Graham Beckel (sp) as Ellis Wyatt, he did not get enough time to develop his role fully (yes I know movie vs. book restraints).
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  • Posted by weewilly 11 years, 3 months ago
    Either of the ladies who played Dagny should play the part to maintain continuity . . . the swap of actors and actresses was disturbing to me between 1 and 2. Beyond that, any competent actress could portray Dagny, yet I would lean toward Samatha with a light lead.
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  • Posted by stubbs25 11 years, 3 months ago
    Surely there's someone out there who could play the role well besides Taylor. Naomi Watts would be a solid choice I think...provided that she reads Atlas.
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  • Posted by Vegasrenie 11 years, 3 months ago
    Lots of Taylor fans out there, but I'm not one. Samantha's acting was far more mature and nuanced in my opinion. With that being said, either one would be great in ASIII, just to keep continuity.

    I do feel the same as mostly everyone here - the cast changes were far too extreme. If the same level of cast changes had been made in the Star Wars Trilogy, I'm pretty certain it wouldn't be the classic it is today.

    You can bring back the entire cast of ASI - with the exception of Francisco and Hank (sorry, I think Jason Beghe rocks - much more manly and taller than Grant Bowler) and you'd be on the right track.

    Either of the actresses playing Dagny would be fine, if only for continuity.
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  • Posted by Copperhead 11 years, 3 months ago
    For what it's worth -

    I also really liked Taylor Schilling and Grant Bowler from Part 1 better than cast in Part 2. I do like Samantha Mathis and think she did a good job, but don't think that she looked like Dagny physically, and a little too old (sorry Samantha!)

    I liked Jsu Garcia a lot as Francisco, but Esai Morales was also fantastic.

    Not a fan of Jason Beghe so that was a HUGE disconnect for me. I didn't care for the Lillian character in either movie. Hard to picture Hank ever even considering marrying either of them (although same in the book).

    Absolutely LOVED Diedrich Bader as Quentin Daniels and Graham Beckel as Ellis Wyatt (still can't get over the fact that he is Bob Beckel's brother).
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  • Posted by TheRod 11 years, 3 months ago
    AMBER HEARD would also be an excellent candidate to play Dagny Taggart in Part III. Everyone knows she's an accomplished actress. What you don't know it that she has been an objectivist since she discovered Ayn Rand while still in high school. Smart, funny, beautiful, and objectivist -- sounds like Dagny to me.
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  • Posted by TheRod 11 years, 3 months ago
    Taylor Schilling was great in Part I and having her back would be fantastic. However, I think it would be even better to get RACHEL NICHOLS to play Dagny in Part III. Rachel has kicked ass in "Continuum" and "Alias." She is also rocket-scientist smart with degrees in Economics and Mathematics from Columbia. She is so beautiful I can barely stand to look at her. Yes, RACHEL NICHOLS would be perfect for Dagny Taggart.
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  • Posted by jcp85 11 years, 3 months ago
    Taylor Schilling was perfect for the role. Grant Bowler Picture was also perfect. The Part I cast was just great and I would hope to see them return for Part 3.
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  • Posted by mjcolussy 11 years, 3 months ago
    Taylor is a better actress and is more believable. Same with Matthew Marsden as James.
    However, Jason Beghe was a better Hank Readen, and Esai Morales was the best cast actor ever as d'Anconia.
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  • Posted by RickB49 11 years, 3 months ago
    Taylor should play the part as she is more believable. Liked the cast in part 1 much more than those in part 2. Get all of them that you can for part 3.
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  • Posted by linman 11 years, 3 months ago
    TAYLOR, TAYLOR, TAYLOR and the whole cast from part 1. Samantha was not believable - looked worn out and too old. Please bring Taylor back at least.
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