I liked Taylor from Part 1 much better than Samantha. I also like the part 1 cast a whole lot better overall!.
JIm

ME for heaven's sake, know her lines by heart. More importantly, know the spirit. But alas, too old unless you have tremendous makeup person....which I'm sure you do. Other than that, Anne Hathaway would be outstanding, Jolie so-so, Meryl Streep perfect (but same issue of age as I have (weep)), how 'bout Carey Milligan,Reese Witherspoon, Kirsten Dunst, Jennifer Lawrence. Of course there's always me.....the ones who've played so far aren't fiery enough, there's no sense of true inner strength that's palpable. Dagny was NOT passive, and she was indeed impatient & take charge. With ability to have wry amusement that comes through. Loved Pt2 but long way to go folks. Did anyone hear Ayn Rand speak? See her? The passion exuded through every pore. Keep it real, keep it ALIVE.

Taylor was the better choice

Dagny to me was best portrayed by Taylor by far. But if you could win the Lottery and pick any one I would think Charlize Theron would be my pick. Although maybe a little to curvy for the part I think she could bring the gravitas to the role that it deserves!

Jody Foster ? Are you serious?

Taylor from Part 1 IS Dagny Taggert!! Her effortless confidence and elegance comes through the screen, she is a natural!

Taylor Schilling all the way!

Bring back everyone from ASP1!
Taylor was excellent as Dagny. She looked and acted just like I pictured Dagny while reading the book. Same for Hank.

Taylor had a greater range of expression. She was the beautiful steely-eyed business women, who could let down her guard and demonstrate her vulnerability side. Samantha always looked like a worried, stressed-out mother whose kids are late coming from school. Personally, I liked the whole cast from Part 1 better. I don't care about ideology. Meryl Streep would be an awesome Dagny no matter where she stands on the issues.

Taylor DEFINITELY!!!

Please bring back Taylor! She is a much better actor who really brought Dagny to life; beautiful, strong, and determined. I really did not enjoy Samantha's acting and felt that she was a poor fit.

Samantha Mathis from the second film was perfect for the role. It would be a shame not to see her complete what she started in Part 2. Taylor was ok, but seemed to be missing something, can't quite put my finger on it, but the performance just seemed lackluster.

I think that Taylor Schilling did get better as the Part 1 progressed, but Samantha Mathis brought a maturity to the role--just like all of the other cast changes. I think I could go either way with the Dagny character, but since I think all of the other actors in Part 2 were considerably better than in the first, Ms. Mathis would be a better fit. Ms. Schilling would seem like a little kid amongst others who are supposed to be her same age.

I would have to agree that Taylor is Dagny Taggart. Her presence on the screen is the cool yet passionate and determined Dagny of Rand's. Please bring her back. The ending needs her!!

My preference would be for Taylor. More "life" to her performance.

Taylor was the more accurate portrayal as Dagny. She rocked. The more of Part 1's Cast you can get, the better the movie will be.

Link to Leelee on IMDB. Not a big name, likely available, and I think she looks the part and could handle the roll.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005447/

Taylor from Part 1 is our choice, I don't care about her personal ideologies, unless she is Jane Fonda. Taylor had a certain innocence and yet portrayed a hard Capitalistic driver. She was more believable.

I thought Samantha was a horrible actress- Taylor was MUCH better, and I feel like she understood the character more.

Samantha Mathis was awesome. Her body language, facial expressions and passion played into Dagny Taggarts strength, passion and poise.

Taylor started slow, but absolutely got the character down perfectly soon into the film. Samantha was mopey and whiny. For that matter, just bring back everyone from the first film.

Samantha would be my first choice but I liked Taylor as well. Either one of those will be great,