B. Getting the message out is the most important thing.

I'm going to start with F. Advertizing, get the movie promoted as much as possible. Get the word out. As to casting, I agree the actors in the first movie were better but the special effects and overall quality of Part-2 were better. Of course staying on message is very important too.

I know the speech is way too long for the movie but I have visions of the most important parts of it as a voice over of scenes of the people on the street listening and sort of slowly coming to realize what is being said and as more and more people get the look of What have we done? on their faces. As someone else mentioned, this could be shots of people all over the country from cities like Detroit to broken down farms showing people wandering the streets looking for work as well as breadlines with little or nothing to give out, stores with nothing on their shelves, etc. Then maybe shots of the people already in the Gulch showing their reactions to it. Disappointment in the way things are but hope for the future. And definitely add the Judge rewriting the Constitution in hopes of this never happening again.

Having a whole new cast for Part III may actually be an appealing move artistically - it may actually serve to give the trilogy a certain continuity, almost suggesting that these hero's are like music - that while cannot be re-written, can be played on many instruments.

Casting. Crew must be attractive to audience and be able to carry the story line or the movie won't fly.The message will take care of itself if the right director is hired. (Second highest priority)

B. For sure.
Would like to see actors that are true believers in Ms. Rand's message.
Graham Beckel (Ellis Wyatt) was one but was only in AS-1.

Even though I advocated DIALOGUE AND EXPOSITION earlier, the ~kind~ of dialogue and exposition are crucial: They are for the purpose of building character, laying out conflict, showing emotions and attitudes not just preaching philosophy. Or politics.

This is not a 'message' movie, any more than the book was. It is a work of art, a 'sense of life' movie.

Don't make the mistake of hamfisted didacticism (script by someone else who is neither a great writer nor historic genius): Use RAND'S OWN WORDS: Four things --> her striking metaphors, vivid descriptions, passionate emotion, powerful logic.

NOMARK, well put.

B is number 1
Then A

(By the way, Ayn Rand and I have the same birthday Feb 2)

After reading most of the other comments I think I would be more comfortable if 'B' was 'Getting the message of AS across'. P3 is going to be a challenge to create and direct. I doubt that Galt's Speech can be presented in its original version. But a carefully planned multi-media event with character reactions within the movie might carry it off. As I've said before: Good Luck. You have taken on an awesome 'opportunity'.

F. Other - Script. Getting the writing right is the most important part. Finding good actors is easy, and special effects don't have to be anything great. But the script and dialogue have to be perfect or the movie will be misunderstood.

B or courese, but I hope you can keep the current cast.
IDEA *** during galt's speech which is the "in case you didn't get it" part of the book, Use footage of REAL events that illustrate his message as background. Hopefully, this will "cement" the point. Thanks for listening.

By far, Getting the message right is to priority. Ayn Rand's message is timeless and the world need to hear it more than ever.
Also understanding why Societies decline. The Five Laws of Decline include, Sturgeon's Law, Bastiat's Law, Gresham's Law, Law of Deminishing returns and The Law of Momentum. A book that simplifies how these 5 Laws lead to the Declin of nations is LEADERSHIFT by Orrin Woodward and Oliver DMille.
At any rate JOHN GALT'S voice has to be heard Clearly and Simply as it relates to the Rand's Book because this is the defining moment in Part III.

F. Make sure your screenplay is a solid piece of entertainment which people want to go see, the message is a theme you'd be hard pressed to miss, so just worry about the characters coming across as engaging on the page.

In all things, the message is the most important issue.

agreed.

B. Getting the message of Atlas Shrugged right

B. Without a doubt.

I never read the book and saw the first movie and "I knew!" there was something important being said that spoke to me. I didn't mind the crappy acting but I was aware of it. I went out and bought the book but didn't read it until after I saw the second movie. The second movie was better acted and the characters were good but the message was less obvious. The message can be clear with good acting and with some of the key speeches but not all of the redundant ones other wise it will be ten hours long. The message isn't really just about 'them' but rather about 'us' in my opinion. And about value. So, if your going to do it then do it right! Can't wait.

The CG graphics could be much better. Liked everything else in #1 & #2 .

I completely agree!!! I really liked Taylor Shilling. And Grant Bowler. I didn't like the casting change at all.

F, hire Neil Pert from Rush to do the music. He is a fan of Ayn Rand i.e. 2112. AND OTHER ALBUMs

B. Definitely B! And not changing the casting AGAIN! I really liked the original cast members. Dealt with the change for II. So let's just leave it alone.

DIALOGUE AND EXPOSITION: The number one failing so far has been that the movie(s) don't explain enough for this unusual and culturally against the grain a film. The "old-fashioned filmaking" of the 30's and 40's used dialogue and sometimes even voice-overs - lots of snappy, fast-paced, scintillating. So use **Rand's own words**. And do it throughout - from the very first scene until the end. (None of this shlocky -- and way too short and cryptic -- "hey Hank, what's with all the altruism?" nonsense written by someone else.) Rand never talked down in writing the book. Count on the intelligence of the moviegoers and their ability to follow fast-paced, complex explanation and dialogue. Or count on the fact that they will be impressed enough to watch it a second time to 'get what we missed'.

In this order:
B, E, A, C, D

In addition to what has been talked about, F: ADVERTIZING & DISTRIBUTION are make or break. These productions have been too unseen/ unknown even to many ardent AS readers. After the 'professional critic elite" got done hammering 1 & 2, I was concerned that 3 would be reduced to doing it in anime or sock puppets!

B is the overall necessity, and you can't get the message right if you do not have the best director, or casting or the other facets either.

Please make Ayn and the rest of us proud!