Cumberbatch? No, so so wrong. Getting an actor to have a deep understanding of Rand's ideas will be nigh on impossible. Jeremy Renner would be a good choice I think - he's done many an indie movie and tends to keep his political opinions to himself. He'd be perfect. Right age too.

Adam Baldwin, John O'Hurley or Scott Baio

Gerry Butler.

If he can't pull off the part of John Galt, it matters not what he believes. Denzel Washington is my first choice. Tom Selick (a libertarian) would be my second.

excellent point

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

Jason O'Mara did a fine job in small role in Band of Brothers 12 years ago; is just about the right age for Galt. His Lt. Meehan was a strong quiet competent leader; just what you need. Tall, rangy, good looking and well trained in the profession.

Galt hasn't actually appeared yet . . .

B. Should be someone committed to conservative principles! Gary Senise!

He's got the looks, the wit and he does not apologize for anything. He attacks both left and right for being ridiculous.

B. My vote would be for Ricky Shroeder. He is a fantastic actor. Not sure that he is a libertarian, but he is a conservative and has lived his life 'outside' of the Hollywood mentality.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQUNmWs6...
I could Galt either one of these two.
David Lyons or Billy Burke.

He needs humility to disappear into the crowd, and to credibly fill his role as a typical railroad laborer for Taggart Transcontinental railroad.

Thank you for honoring me with your comment.

Graham Beckel - Graham S. Beckel, the sane son in the Beckel family, his brother is Bob Beckel on Fox's The Five", is an American character actor. He is known for his prolific guest appearances on television but has had prominent roles in several major films as well.
He'd be perfect!!!

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.

Seth MacFarlane

I have liked Mark Wahlburg (sp?) in a couple of his films (Shooter) whose character seems to possess some of the AS traits, so, perhaps, someone like him? Th actor who played John Clark in "Sum of All Fears" would be a good one since he sort of blends in. I think he played the bad guy in one of the X-Men films too. I agree with some of the other posters; make who ever you choose read the book and then quiz them on it....

PLEASE CHOOSE SOMEONE THAT UNDERSTANDS RAND. The film should communicate the no compromise between good and evil attitude Rand espoused. Its important to the films integrity, more than a brand name that is a hedonistic douche off screen. This film and this topic are Art. Art communicates on many levels, it integrates complex concretes into a tangible idea. This casting is critical imho.

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.

In terms of priority - B and then A. If a Sean Penn, George Clooney, Tim Robbins or a Matt Damon were cast - I am not sure I would watch it. I don't watch many of their movies to the fact that they have horrible politics.

I feel this should be an unknown actor,
someone know one has seen before. Let us be as those in Rand's story. Witnessing a John Galt for the first time.

Tom Selleck, Robert Duvall, Sam Elliot.

Atlas Shrugged doesn't "reach" anyone who will be taken in by a pretty face; it confuses and frightens them (and Eddie Willers was not that shallow). Casting a person based purely on his looks would destroy this movie. B isn't just the preferred option...its the only one.

Any good actor will want to understand the character and storyline. As long as he's not a known liberal, I'm OK with any good actor. Was hoping for Grant Bowler but probably not to be.

By all means the answer should be B.