HBO Films has shared the first official photo from Fahrenheit 451, its forthcoming adaptation of Ray Bradbury’s classic dystopian novel set in a future where reading is outlawed and books are burned. It’s, appropriately, an action shot of firefighter Guy Montag (Michael B. Jordan) letting the flames fly on some contraband reading, while his superior Beatty (Michael Shannon) looks on approvingly.
More info from the press release:
Based on Ray Bradbury’s classic dystopian novel which depicts a future where media is an opiate, history is outlawed and “firemen” burn books, Fahrenheit 451 follows Montag, a young fireman who forsakes his world, battles his mentor Beatty and struggles to regain his humanity. Michael B. Jordan, Michael Shannon, Laura Harrier, Sophia Boutella and Lilly Singh star. The film is directed by Ramin Bahrani, who also serves as executive producer with Sarah Green, Michael B. Jordan, Alan Gasmer and Peter Jaysen; David Coatsworth produces. Ramin Bahrani and Amir Naderi are co-writers.
Interesting detail/nitpick: Montag’s uniform has 451 on it, presumably the number of his company, though the title comes from the autoignition temperature of paper.
Seeing as the photo comes from HBO Films, it’s safe to assume that this adaptation of Fahrenheit 451, as with the others, will be a movie instead of a television series. It makes sense, as the original book makes for a pretty slim volume, but in an era of Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale expanding its source material, you never know.
The film is currently in production; no word yet on release date.
