Mel Gibson - although he sometimes leans left, he played in the Patriot & Braveheart. I suspect he would immerse himself in the role.

Jim Caviezel has to be #1 choice, based on quality of acting, appearance, basic philosophy. His acting style is very much in line with the Galt character's persona: cool, committed, rational. What isn't so well known is that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie wanted to produce Atlas Shrugged (Angie as Dagny, Brad as Galt), but got talked out of it. Still, Pitt is too much "pretty boy". Gary Sinese has the beliefs, and is an excellent actor, but I'm just not sure it's his style.

An unknown, please. I wasn't familiar with many of the actors in parts I and II and that allowed them to become the characters better in my own mind. Many well-known characters could do a great job but they wouldn't BE John Galt for me. As for finding someone right-thinking...Good luck!

Also: Nathan Fillion (The Captain on Firefly)

The answer is obvious. You need someone above it all. Someone who, just by mere presence alone, comes from a different place than the rest of us. Unfortunately, it's doubtful that such an actor exists today; but in the heyday of Hollywood, when movies were memorable and worthy of history, someone like a Clint Eastwood, in one of his iconic roles, or John Wayne from The Searchers or Hondo would be sublime. Find such a person and you have your movie.

Dougray Scott - Can deliver a very distinct and serious performance with a wry glint that he knows things that the other characters don't. Never considered him before but recently came across his work and had an impact.

Harrison Ford is like 75.

B. And having chosen that, my vote for John Galt would definitely be Jim Caviezel. He has the chemistry and look; his personality and professionalism would bring Galt to life in the most believable way.

I disagree. There are amazing actors who's personal beliefs don't compromise their talents, and I think he may be one of them. And I think this quote is him speaking about portraying Kahn. Anyway, I think he's brilliant and I think if the criteria for playing Galt gets to political that's ruling out a lot of talent.

A.
It's a movie. These are actors. 99% of actors are socialists. You could cast an Objectivist, but he probably would have zero acting ability.

Here are some GREAT choices;

Gary Sinise
Joseph-Gordon Levitt
Daniel Craig
Simon Baker
George Clooney
Salman Khan
Robert Downey Jr
Matt Damon
Ralph Fiennes

I agree with you, wordmuse, but a great story with a great philosophy to convey can be lacking by miscasting. A story as great as this should be a labor of love.

I would specifically recommend Patrick Page. He has a strong way with language, being trained in Shakespeare, he's charismatic, bold, and handsome, and he's just successful enough to be right for the role but not so successful that he's overly expensive. I don't know him personally, I just admire his work.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Pag...

I go with B. I think any of these three actors could be excellent John Galt actors: John Voight, Jim Gaviezel or Fred Thompson.

Please consider getting Stephen Baldwin for Galt. Thanks!!! -- john

An actor like Tom Selleck, strong, confident and slightly aloof.

I think it should be a well known actor with true grit like either Jon Voight or Gary Sinise. Let's shock the libs.

B. I think that above all part 3 needs to be honest. I see that someone suggested TOM HANKS--that's an example of dishonesty. I used to enjoy Hanks' talent, but he is the very antithesis of this philosophy. If he were cast, I would boycott part 3. So, I think that's very important. I love the idea of Gary Sinise, who quietly puts his credibility where his mouth is (so to speak). I think he's very honest, and my mental "picture" of Galt was very different than that described by Ayn Rand, anyway (I've never really been into redheads...). I think the honesty is of paramount importance---------adding to the drumroll for Gary Sinise.

Michael Shanks (Stargate:SG1) would be prefect. Right age if actress who played Dagny stays the same.

JEFFREY DONOVAN!!!

Josh Holloway!
Because of A and B

I think it highly unlikely that a strongly committed leftist would want to play a character clearly intended to be a hero who unequivocally stands for Objectivism. So I think it’s very likely that an actor who can do a good job of speaking the philosophy conversationally and can convincingly portray conviction in what he says (and does) will be a non-liberal in his personal beliefs. I would want that, and not insist on more, unless I were thinking of hiring a philosopher to do the part—a very long shot that might actually work.

Suprisingly, I think an eloquent Adam Baldwin would make an excellent John Galt or how about Aragon, Viggo Mortensen.

C: Both. But if not C, then A. I think Dean Cain could handle the roll. Possibly Kevin Sorbo (if we can get past his Hercules days) And both should be in the budgetary realm of this project.

James Caviezel would make a great John Galt