We were already excited about HBO’s upcoming adaptation of the Ray Bradbury classic starring Michael B. Jordan and Michael Shannon, but the trailer really kicks things up a notch.
HBO must be feeling thrilled about having cast Jordan as “fireman” protagonist Guy Montag. Jordan has long been a popular actor, but fresh off the massive success of Black Panther and his tour de force turn as Erik Killmonger, he’s now a huge star with a devoted fanbase that would follow him through the flames.
The trailer is certainly Jordan-heavy (much to our delight), though every sight of Michael Shannon’s Captain Beatty is chilling. “We are not born equal,” Beatty intones with terrifying conviction, “We must be made equal by the fire. And then can we be happy.” Here for this.
We can’t wait to see these dynamic actors play off of each other. Previously, we’ve gotten mere glimpses of Fahrenheit‘s environs, but this is a two-minute deep dive into a futuristic world of book-burning, complete with creepy monitoring from above and lots of LEDs lighting up the city skyline. Here’s a refresher of the plot via HBO, if you haven’t picked up the book since middle school:
Starring Michael B. Jordan and Michael Shannon, Fahrenheit 451 is based on Ray Bradbury’s classic novel. In a future where the media is an opiate, history is rewritten and “firemen” burn books, Jordan plays Montag, a young fireman who struggles with his role as law enforcer. Battling his mentor, fire captain Beatty, played by Shannon, he forsakes his world in an effort to regain his humanity.
Fahrenheit 451 will premiere May 18th on HBO. I don’t know about you, but the trailer moved this to the top of my must-see list. Although at this point would watch Michael B. Jordan read the phone book (are those banned?).
(image: HBO)
- A look at what it’s like to be a stuntwoman working on Avengers: Infinity War. (via Bustle)
- The BBC is adapting H.G. Wells’ classic War of the Worlds for television. (via Variety)
- A record number of women have filed to run for the House of Representatives, most of them as Democrats. Let’s do this, ladies. (via Jezebel)
It’s Friday, friends! What did you see today? What are you planning to see this weekend? Please don’t set any books on fire!
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