3 Reasons Why The Daily Wire's Atlas Shrugged Series Could Work
(and 2 reasons why it might not)
The announcement of the Daily Wire’s planned adaptation of Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged into a tv series has been met with a…mixed reception. Some seem convinced that the project is doomed to fail. Others, such as myself, are cautiously hopeful that the show might be decent. So, here are three reasons why the DW’s Atlas Shrugged tv show could work! (and here are two reasons why it might fail).
#5 (Success): The DW has the Budget
At the same time that the Daily Wire announced they were making Atlas Shrugged, they also announced that DailyWire+ is on track to generate almost $200M in annual revenue. Seeing as only a few other projects besides Atlas Shrugged have been announced, it seems as though the show will have a decent budget and a high production value, which is crucial.
#4 (Failure): DeRanding It
One of the biggest fears fans of the novel have with the intended adaptation is that it will throw out Rand’s philosophy and morality. If the Daily Wire did go through with this plan, it could very well end up undermining the entire show.
#3 (Success): The DW Needs it To Work
Simply put, the Daily Wire badly needs this show to be a success. They have made four films (not counting documentaries): Run Hide Fight, Shut In, The Hyperions, and Terror on the Prairie. While none of these films have been terrible—or even bad—none of them have been great. The DW and co-CEO Jeremy Boreing want Atlas Shrugged to be their flagship show. Thus, hopefully, they will commit to putting in enough time and effort to make it work.
#2 (Failure): A Cast of Bad Actors?
The novel Atlas Shrugged has a huge cast, one that cannot be massively pruned down. In order to fill out the roles, then, the DW might have to hire actors of lesser quality, which would certainly degrade the overall quality of the show.
#1 (Success): The Audience
The Daily Wire now has an audience of over one million subscribers. I can only assume that, for many, this will be the first time they have been exposed to Ayn Rand’s ideas. If presented well, this potential audience could carry the show to success and result in it becoming the cultural phenomenon America and the Daily Wire need right now.
America Forever,
Socrates Finch