HBO has released the first trailer for its upcoming adaptation of ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451.”
Directed by “99 Homes” director Ramin Bahrani, the movie stars Michael B. Jordan as a “fireman” who burns books in a dystopian version of the future where information is strictly controlled. Michael Shannon also stars as the “fire captain” who battles Jordan’s character when he begins to question their actions.
“A little knowledge is a dangerous thing,” Shannon warns in the trailer, instructing his men to burn all written news and recorded history. “We are not born equal, so we must be made equal by the fire.”
Bahrani told reporters earlier last month that he thinks it’s “pretty obvious” why the adaptation of Bradbury’s novel is especially relevant in 2018 and the era of Donald Trump.
“I don’t want us to forget what Bradbury said, that we asked for this,” he said, adding that we as a people elected Trump to office. Also, “we are electing again this thing in my pocket,” he said, pulling out his smartphone. “We are electing to give it all away to this.”
“Between the technological advancements in last 20 years and politics, I think Bradbury’s biggest concern about the erosion of culture is now… and the speed at which this is advancing is exponential,” he said.
“Will we actually get ahead of the dam, or will it just be a flood and up to some other generation to bring back all of Bradbury’s heroes?”
Sofia Boutella and Lilly Singh also star in the film from A Noruz Films, Brace Cove and Outlier Society Productions. Sarah Green, Alan Gasmer and Peter Jaysen serve as executive producers alongside Bahrani and Jordan.