Hollywood, and most recently Frank Darabont, has been trying to get a new adaptation of Fahrenheit 451 made for over a decade now, but time and time again something has gotten in the way.

Whether it was Mel Gibson giving up on his version of it or Darabont being sidetracked by writing projects for Indiana Jones IV, Mission: Impossible III, The Mist, etc., Ray Bradbury’s beloved dystopian novel hasn’t been able to get off the ground in film form since Truffaut’s 1966 version. Sci Fi Wire recently caught up with Darabont at the Saturn awards, and the writer-director gave us an update on his passion project:

“Fahrenheit is the thing I’m trying to get up next, which is casting-dependent, so it’s one of those. I’m out to somebody at the moment, fingers crossed, because, boy, do I want to make that movie. I’m not giving up. I’ll die in the traces before I don’t make that movie… It’s not one of those movies that are vastly expensive by any contemporary standard, but money is still money, and it’s of a price that requires somebody that will justify that investment. This is definitely going to be more than [The Mist], so those other considerations do come into play.”

It looks like the project is moving into make-or-break status, though Darabont seems adamant that he’ll get it made. He has said that he’d like to have it complete within Bradbury’s lifetime, which normally I’d say could last any number of years, but let’s face it – it seems like celebrities of any stature have been dropping like flies lately (for the record, Bradbury is turning 89 in August this year). So let’s hope Frank can get this thing going soon.

And just who would his bankable star be, anyway? Tom Hanks has been the guy Darabont’s wanted for years, but would he have gone to a more affordable star in the film’s current financial reality? Or maybe Mel would even come back to the property as an actor (though I think he wanted Tom Cruise to play Guy Montag originally when he was slated to direct). Christian Bale could make a strong Montag, though he’s already done a similar theme in Equilibrium. Personally, I think Matt Damon would be a good pick for the role, though I don’t know what his schedule would look like with a possible on-screen reunion with Ben Affleck planned and Bourne 4 on the horizon.

Who do you guys think would make a good (and bankable!) Guy Montag?

Tags: Fahrenheit 451, Frank Darabont, Ray Bradbury