We are not born equal. We must be made equal by the fire…and then we can be happy.
HBO is bringing us their modern adaption of Ray Bradbury’s classic 1953 dystopian novel, Fahrenheit 451, which depicts a future where the media is an opiate, history is rewritten and “firemen” burn books.
Michael B. Jordan (Black Panther) plays Montag, a young fireman who struggles with his role as law enforcer as he battles his mentor, fire captain Beatty, played by Michael Shannon (Boardwalk Empire). Sofia Boutella (Kingsman: The Secret Service) also stars as Clarisse, an informant caught between the competing interests of Montag and Beatty. Other cast members include YouTube star Lilly Singh, who plays a tabloid reporter named Raven, tasked with spreading propaganda and broadcasting the firemens’ book-burning raids.
Directed by Ramin Bahrani (99 Homes) and written by Bahrani and Amir Naderi (Vegas: Based on a True Story), Bahrani explains his interest in the story and its themes, “I have always loved Ray Bradbury’s prophetic novel Fahrenheit 451. Two years ago, as I looked at the world around me, it seemed like the ideal time to do a modern interpretation.”
Starring Michael B. Jordan (Black Panther), Michael Shannon (Boardwalk Empire), Sofia Boutella (Kingsman: Secret Service), and Lilly Singh.
Fahrenheit 451 premieres May 19 at 8pm on HBO.
