B is essential, but A is extremely important or the message is not communicated as well as it should be. The cast must be right. The cast of I was nearly perfect. The cast of II was not. Hopefully III will be right on.

Getting the message right is tantamount however, there are other elements that need nearly as much focus. Getting people into the theaters is critical. Otherwise, we're preachin' to the choir. The story is as timely as ever. Hype the storyline in parallel with the crisis du'jour. Don't count on the critics. Leverage mainstream media. The best thing that happened for Part I was the argument Graham and Bob Beckel got into on Fox News. That was seen by millions and stirred up a lot of enthusiasm. Familiar faces (like Graham Beckel) wouldn't hurt either.

A. Casting
I want the original cast back!!!
Part II was just not a believable as Part I.

It was Rand's novel to do with as she pleased. I suspect Leonard Peikoff has less latitude. If I had a vote I'd vote to stay with the message and present it as powerfully as possible. The world may have to skip a generation or two before the general population comes to its senses. A bloody civil war could end up with cartel leaders becoming feudal despots. They have the organizations, the money and the will.
Be careful what you ask for.

Everything else was great, but the casing is problematic, Atlas 1 had some GREAT actors, and some that just were not well suited in the particular roles - they might be great for other things.

Among the luminaries in Atlas I were Dagny (Taylor Schiling) and Hank (Grant Bowler). The fellow playing Ellis Wyatt was fantastic, but of course he is not a part of the script for Atlas II.
Lillian Reareden was great in her villany.
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Among the unsuitables were Jim Taggart (too young), Hugh Axton (WAY to young, and acts like a supernerd), and in particular Hsu Garcia as Francisco - he just doesn't have that REGAL look, same with Axton.

Atlas 2 had a more "even" cast, none were really great (sorry), but no one was a disaster either. And they averaged 20 years older than in Atlas I. One of the best was Hank Reardan, almost indistinguishable from Grant Bowler in A-I.
So, as a conclusion, I would like to see a great many of the A-II cast, but try to bring back from A-I Dagny (Taylor Schilling) and the Ellis Wyatt player (the character not present in AII). And find a distinguished-gentleman-looking Axton.

Please understand my criticism as coming from a friend, I saw A-I in theaters three times (I now have escaped to a Gulch of sorts, Anguilla, which does not have movie theaters) and I have bought several Blu-Ray copies of A-I and A-II, I keep giving them away. .

B. Ayn Rand had such a brilliant perception of the times we are living in right now. So much of the movie is happening today and people need to see the light before it is to late. Whatever the priority, MAKE Part III. This country needs it now!

"B" of course yet speaking for myself and many who have seen the movies, read the book, you are getting it right...and more to the point is ITS HAPPENING NOW!!

B and A Getting the message right. And that was done in both parts 1 and 2.

However, the actors in part 2 fit their characters better. And the special effects that were used were appropriate, but not over the top.

My sentiments also, especially regarding Dagny. The last one always seemed to be ready to burst into tears. I thought the first Dagny was cast quite well.

I loved part one & once I adjusted to the new cast I loved part two . Esai Morales was terrific as Francisco, he kept me interested and his familiar sexy way was a definite plus. (Please keep him in three)
The most important is the (d) message, then it's even with the cast & director. Those three make a blockbuster.

B

Was disappointed in ASII--I think changing the cast was a big mistake--and caused the message, which is the important part, to be less impressive. Hope if you don't go back to ASI cast--you will find stronger actors for the ASIII than you had for ASII.

B - Get the message out

I would like to answer all (A - F). To be more informative, I will select one as you have requested. I choose C - Cinematography.

Casting

Getting the message of Atlas Shrugged right. Wonder if this will cause and IRS audit?

Absolutely "B" but if you could do that with the same cast as part II that would be even better.

Keeping the speech engaging is going to be hard for the actor and the director

B without a doubt. Everything else is secondary. The message must be packaged well but no matter how great everything else is, without the message it is just another movie most will forget in short order.

I read the book years ago and have seen part I & II seemed to end where book did. Are you creating new material?

Thanks! That was a exceptional comment. It points to why the Book is so well read but then forgotten. Message + Emotion = Success

The cast for Part II was greatly improved...so was the directing! A dynamite soundtrack would really help propel the scenes of Part III. I believe I have the perfect score to compliment the screen play, and would be happy to submit samples of this dynamic, lushly orchestrated soundtrack! 608-775-4010 Mark

Casting...Go back to the original, or change the actors, playing Hank, Dagney and Frisco. The last were terrible.

I have loved both installment thus far. That said, your efforts, marvelous as they have been, obviously suffer from budgetary limitation.
My suggestion would be layered revenue streaming. Perhaps somehow letting Gulch members sell marketing items on our websites and social media pages with any "commissions" going to production costs. Then, set sales quotas to reach certain levels of Exec. Producer status, then if reaching a high enough level, members' names either roll in on screen credits, or maybe are added to DVD or digital copies for our collections.
If something like this already exists, please excuse my missing it, if not, here's hoping you like the idea!