The most chilling science fiction novel of all time is about to become a gripping film, again. Ray Bradbury’s classic tale of future book burnings is set to be adapted by HBO, and the new trailer is…hot.
On Monday, HBO debuted full-length trailer for Fahrenheit 451, the forthcoming sci-fi movie starring Michael Shannon and Michael B. Jordan, and directed by Ramin Bahrani. The story focuses on a fireman named Guy Montag (Jordan) who is tasked with burning books in an effort to change history to meet the views of the oppressive futuristic government. Montag’s boss is fire captain Beatty, played by Shannon.
Bradbury’s iconic book is often required reading in many public schools and in almost every way eclipses George Orwell’s 1984 in terms of its cautionary elegance. The book is also startlingly different from the rest of Bradbury’s oeuvre, which is considerably more upbeat, and occasionally downright quirky. (The short story “The Fog Horn” comes to mind, in which a dinosaur thinks a lighthouse is its long-lost mate.)
Sofia Boutella
Michael B. Jordan
Michael Shannon
Nevertheless, the short story “The Exiles” by Bradbury seemingly takes place in the same dark universe of Fahrenheit 451. After all the books are burned on Earth, the spirits of banned authors (like Shakespeare and Poe) are living on Mars. The new HBO adaptation will unlikely go that far, but you never know.
Behind the Scenes: Ramin Bahrani, Michael B. Jordan, Michael Shanno
The director of the new HBO adaptation had this to say about the project: “I have always loved Ray Bradbury’s prophetic novel…two years ago, as I looked at the world around me, it seemed like the ideal time to do a modern interpretation. I am grateful to HBO for helping me bring my vision of the film to audiences with this incredible cast.”
The most exciting thing about the new adaptation is without a doubt, Michael B. Jordan, who is fresh from blowing everyone’s minds as Killmonger in Black Panther.
HBO’s Fahrenheit 451 will debut sometime this May.
