Michael B. Jordan and Michael Shannon cast in HBO movie adaptation of 'Fahrenheit 451'

Image from Paste Magazine

By Darian Scalamoni

            HBO has lined up their next original movie and it might be their biggest undertaking to date. According to Variety, the premium network’s film division will adapt the classic novel, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. They also report that Michael Shannon and Michael B. Jordan will star with Ramin Bahrani (99 Homes, At Any Price) directing.

            Fahrenheit 451 is a dystopian story that was published back in 1953 and presents a future American society in which books are outlawed and firemen are to burn any that are found. Jordan will play Guy Montag, the lead protagonist of the novel while Shannon will play his superior, Captain Beatty. I’m beyond excited with this news as Fahrenheit 451 happens to be one of my favorite novels of all-time. Also, having actors with terrific quality of acting like Jordan and Shannon help propel the movie further. Mel Gibson had the book rights for years and was set to do his own film adaptation starring Tom Cruise in 1999, but scheduling problems arose. Let’s hope the same doesn’t happen with HBO’s effort.

            Michael B. Jordan hasn’t been seen in a feature film since Creed in 2015 but he’s currently filming Black Panther for Marvel before starring in the remake of The Thomas Crown Affair. Shannon happens to be one of the busiest and hardest working actors in Hollywood and Fahrenheit will reunite him with his 99 Homes director. He was just nominated for an Oscar for his work in Nocturnal Animals and will be seen this year in The Current War where he’ll play George Westinghouse alongside Benedict Cumberbatch’s Thomas Edison as well as starring in Guillermo del Toro’s Cold War drama, The Shape of Water.

            How do you guys feel about this news? Were you fans of the book and are you excited for the film adaptation? How do you feel about Jordan and Shannon being cast? Sound off below in the comments and let us know you feel!