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“Atlas Shrugged” producers still at work on film series
Nov 4, 2011, 8:19 AM | Updated: 3:12 pm
 Part one of “Atlas Shrugged” the movie will be available on DVD Nov. 8. (Image courtesy “Atlas Shrugged.”) |
Producers of the movie, “Atlas Shrugged,” hope the film might find the same gradual rise to success that the book had.
“The book was published back in 1957, and it didn’t receive a lot of critical acclaim at the time it was published. But over the last 50 years, what’s interesting about the book is that it actually is selling more copies today than when it was originally published,” said Harmon Kaslow, one of the film’s producers.
The film version of “Atlas Shrugged” was independently released, and while Kaslow tells 97.3 KIRO FM’s Ross and Burbank Show that the box office numbers were below expectations, the film still did pretty well for one not attached to a big studio.
“When compared to other independently released films, it will be in the top five.”
Listen to “Atlas Shrugged” producer gives update on film project
Kaslow, says true to themes in the book, John Aglialoro, who acquired the rights to translate the book into film, moved forward on his own after Hollywood producers said they weren’t interested.
“He thought he could come to Hollywood, attract the interest of the studio, and he’d be off to the races,” says Kaslow. “Not withstanding the interest from some of the world’s largest stars, Academy Award winning producers, directors, Hollywood would not bite. So really, in the spirit of individualism, which is again one of the themes right out of the book, he used his own money and got the film into production.”
The film is being made in multiple parts. Part one will be released on DVD Nov. 8. Kaslow says anticipation seems high, and they’re hoping to see interest grow with the release of the first film on DVD.
“Perhaps that’s where we’re going to find our audience with this material,” says Kaslow. “People, I think over time, have always underestimated the commercial value of Ayn Rand and we certainly hope that they’ll embrace the film.”
Part two of the series will hit theaters in the fall of 2012.
By JAMIE GRISWOLD, MyNorthwest.com Editor
