I concur with Sweeny.

The debate between the cast changes has become non-productive, since this is 'water under the Gulch bridge'.

What might be helpful would to keep the Part 2 cast for Part 3, and try to make some sort of continuity amends. I had no real issues with the Part 2 actors, and actually preferred Hank over Part1.

I agree that Gary Cooper was a super star, and his unpretentious confidence in his demeanor lent well to his role in 'The fountainhead'.

Wow! Great story about your intro to Ayn Rand/ Atlas Shrugged! True about the mirror.

Hahaha. I read your mind. I said the same thing a couple minutes ago. He is an independent thinker who speaks his mind, leaning right more often than not,which would calm the fears of those fans that think that should be a consideration, and, also, he is a handsome, talented, and beloved actor. GOOD CHOICE, Monique!!!

Yes! Yes! Yes!!!

On the topics of Josh - perhaps Josh Brolin? He played a great George W Bush and I suppose is more than handsome enough

Alas - Jimmy Stewart's lifetime role . . . . .

He has to be an actor who can play "the worker" that Eddie talks to AS WELL AS the force behind the disappearances.

Well put.

Aaron Eckhart would make a great John Galt.

Although Jim Caviezel would otherwise be a good choice, his prior acting experience would make it easy for critics to belittle AS3 as the "The Passion of John Galt."

The others would make great cast members but can't see playing John Galt.

Why settle for an actor ?
Would Rand Paul (the senator, whose first name might not have been chosen at random) be OK to play the part ?
Would it be compatible with his current occupation as a senator ?
After all, he knows how to pitch, and he probably deeply understands the spirit of the novel.

Oh, just posted the same suggestion !

I like both - Gary Sinise is definitely up with the conservative message. Hugh Jackman - I have no clue, but he would surely get attention and his acting skills are superb.

What would Howard Roark do? Howard Roark would make a work of art. He would never make a movie by committee. Instead of manipulating people to feel like they have a collective voice in the casting of John Galt, how about focusing on making a great movie? ASP1 was crappy by any measure but just the fact the movie was made rallied many of us who love the book. Part 2 was a missed opportunity. If ASP2 would have been a better product, the basic principles of personal responsibility & liberty could have been introduced to the public at large. Instead ASP2 was clunky, ran long & the marketing sucked. I hoped Part 3 would finish strong but now I see this is not a serious attempt to make a great movie. If Ayn Rand were alive today she would have nothing to do with this project. Ayn Rand believed in excellence & personal responsibility. Who is going to take responsibility for the total failure of ASP2? For crying out loud, Dagney & Hank Rearden drove Fisker cars; it's almost like James Taggart is making these movies. Short answer: it doesn't matter who you cast as John Galt if he's driving a Fisker automobile & reciting dialog that is better suited to a daytime soap. You will have accomplished nothing more than wasting time & money, not to mention destroyed the legacy of a great book.

Good choice.

Can you say irony? Jesus plays John Galt...

What nonsense. Imagine the effort you'd have to go through if only a Nazi could play Hitler, or only a Democrat could play FDR. This is airhead thinking. Actors are paid to look and sound. What they believe when they're at home is of no consequence. But hire an Objectivist who talks like Elmer Fudd and Part 3 is going to sink lower than Part 2 did on its worst day. I give these people credit for perseverance but this movie series is destroying a great book. With DVDs this thing is never going to go away.

I agree.

Burt Lancaster was a dedicated liberal and probably would not have wanted the role.

Good choice!

I wish I had thought of him....

Chris Pine - good thought. He's managed to pull off the James T. Kirk role without indulging in Shatner's overacting. Good emotional range and intensity.