One of the biggest current trends in Hollywood is adapting beloved science-fiction novels to film and television. With Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale and Starz’s American Gods both set to debut later this month, HBO is getting in on the trend – and they’ve brought two beloved actors along for the ride.
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The Hollywood Reporter has announced that Michael B. Jordan (Creed, Black Panther) and Michael Shannon (Man of Steel, Boardwalk Empire) will star in an upcoming television movie adaptation of Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. For the uninitiated, the 1953 novel follows a vaguely dystopian city where history is outlawed, and all remaining copies of books are expected to be burned by ‘firemen’.
Jordan will be playing the story’s protagonist, Montag, who begins to question his society and purpose after stealing a book from his job as a fireman. Shannon will be playing Captain Beatty, Montag’s mentor and fire chief who attempts to steer Montag on the right path after learning of his illegal interest in books.
The film is being written by Ramin Bahrani and Amir Naderi, (the later of whom will direct), who previously worked with Shannon on the film 99 Homes. It will be executive produced by Jordan, Bahrani, Sarah Green (Midnight Special), Alan Gasmer (Vikings), and Peter Jaysen.
There is no word on a release date for the film, seeing as it is in the early days of pre-production. But given its political themes and its talented cast, Fahrenheit 451 is sure to be a hit with audiences.
