Frank Darabont is one of those guys we’re always rooting for. Any guy who’s got both the touchy-feeliness of “The Shawshank Redemption” AND the utter blackness of “The Mist” in him is alright by us. Well, pity poor Frank today, because his passion project, the long in-development film of “Fahrenheit 451″ is once again without a leading man. Tom Hanks is out, Darabont revealed to MTV News exclusively.
Only months ago, Darabont told us Hanks was his Guy Montag. Now it’s not to be. “Mr. Hanks sadly and regretfully had to back out,” he said. “I was really looking forward to working with him again but his other commitments just precluded it. He had to take a step back.”
Despite Hanks’ withdrawal, the director sounded like he’s as excited about the film as ever. “I see this movie so clearly in my head. It’s flowing in my veins,” he said. And just because you think of books first when you think “Fahrenheit 451,” don’t expect something akin to Jane Austen, Darabont promised. He explained, “One character in the script says, ‘It’s not really even about books. It’s about control.’ It’s about the control of government and authority. It’s one of the greatest books ever written. It’s got all that great political stuff underneath the skin of it but really what it is is a great galloping tale.”
That’s all well and good but what Darabont really needs today is a new leading man. “It needs to be somebody like [Hanks] who has the ability to trigger a greenlight but is also the right guy for the part. It’s a narrow target. It’s a short list of people,” Darabont sighed.
So who’s on your short list to succeed Hanks in Darabont’s vision? Who would make the perfect Guy Montag?!? It’s your turn.
March 28th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
I believe Christian Bale would do an excellent job
March 28th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Johnny Depp could do it!!!
March 28th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Brad Pitt will nail it!
March 29th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Tom Hanks was perfect as Montag and will not be easily replaced. Christian Bale could be interesting in the part.
March 29th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
The potential exists in Christian Bale, but this seems too similar to Equilibrium for him. I’d rather see either Don Cheadle or Jude Law.
March 29th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
HEY, DID YOU WORK AT CHARLIE ROSE AT ONE POINT. I THINK I MET YOU WHEN I WAS WORKING FOR JUMPSTART FOR YOUNG CHILDREN. EMAIL ME!!!
March 30th, 2008 at 1:57 am
Tom Hanks was the worst choice for this movie in the first place. The role of Guy Montag will make or break the entire movie. Tom Hanks drop out saved this film.
March 30th, 2008 at 6:54 am
johnny depp would be %~*%*** great as montag also im totally gay 4 him
April 2nd, 2008 at 8:44 pm
I seriously think Edward Norton is great at playing roles like this.
April 2nd, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Johnny Depp
Bruce Willis
check out ~ http://youtube.com/user/RayBradburyChannel
April 3rd, 2008 at 7:47 pm
DENZEL!!!!
April 3rd, 2008 at 8:05 pm
I think Johnny Travolta would be an awesome choice to head this movie! He’s soooo sweet and sexy. I love giving him massages and doing tongue swirlies around his #~@?%~
April 3rd, 2008 at 10:38 pm
I would be the perfect Guy Montag. No one cares less than I do.
April 3rd, 2008 at 11:28 pm
Well now, maybe Tom Hanks not being able to do “Fahrenheit 451″ at the present time is an omen. Darabont should put that project on hold. AND DO ….”THE LONG WALK ..FIRST” !!! Sorry, I have been waiting for years since I heard Frank bought the rights to the movie. And must have misread somewhere that it would be the next movie after “The Mist” which was brilliant by the way
April 4th, 2008 at 2:48 am
Travolta, Pitt, Bale, even Hanks…. I can’t or ever will see them in this role. This has been my favorite book for years ever since I read it in high school 10 years ago, and I’ve been waiting someone to remake the movie since. Through all the actors I’ve seen I honestly think Jason Statham would do a stand up job. Fits the picture in my mind of Montag perfectly. I can’t wait to see the salamander, the dog, and the wall screens. this movie is gonna be a great one.
April 4th, 2008 at 2:51 am
I meant to say something about Johnny Depp. I’m sure he would do great in the role, as are all of them. But his physique is just off from the role.
April 4th, 2008 at 11:06 am
Why break a winning formula. How about Tim Robbins again?
April 5th, 2008 at 4:46 am
On second thought….
GEORGE CLOONEY
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:23 am
Hugh Jackman. Enough said.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Guy Montag needs to be good looking, but not extremely “pretty” like Depp or Pitt. Clooney and Travolta and Willis are too old. Hanks was too. Montag is a deep thinking 30ish guy, I feel, who still has time left in his life to make a different when he goes off in the end. It needs to be someone known, but not too well known. I think this could be an amazing movie, but it has to have the perfect person play the part. Bale could pull it off.
June 22nd, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Christian Bale, James McAvoy (has an Everyman look)?
June 29th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
My vote has to go to Hugh Jackman, he just has the intensity I think Montag would need.