Ray Bradbury‘s future dystopian novel, Fahrenheit 451, will become a made-for-tv film on HBO on May 19th. The book, a classic that school-aged children must read and dissect, explores a time when history and written knowledge must be purged in order to make a short-attention-spanned society collectively happy and docile. Deep thought provoking works are replaced by snippet-news, comic books, television, and generic entertainment. The history that is taught is altered to fit a new narrative. Firemen no longer show up to put out fires, they instead burn every belonging of anyone caught with a book. War is imminent, but nobody notices or seems to care. The future is bleak.

But that distant future seems closer than ever some days.

We are not born equal. We must be made equal by the fire…and then we can be happy.

HBO Films is bringing Fahrenheight 451 to life for a new generation and they released a full trailer on Thursday for the film. In the clip for the new adaptation, the main character, Guy Montag, is played by Michael B. Jordan (Fantastic Four, Black Panther). Montag is a proud fireman, excited that there will be no more books for the children when they grow up, but something happens, he starts dreaming and he begins to question the role of firemen and the entire practice of book burning. He takes offense at being compared to his superior, Captain Beatty (Michael Shannon), a man that is avid about burning every book in sight – but offers Montag a chance to look inside a book before it gets tossed in the fire. The devil tempts everyone at some point, right? 

Michael B. Jordan as Guy Montag in HBO Film's adaptation of Fahrenheit 451

Michael B. Jordan as Guy Montag in HBO Film’s adaptation of Fahrenheit 451

Knowledge is a dangerous thing.

The trailer shows a beautiful cityscape with video technology permeating everything from the skyscrapers to the sidewalks. The technology is shown to be very intrusive, even monitoring Montag’s bio-signs and reminding him to take “drops” – an eyedrop drug of some form. The words “Stay Vivid” appear, along with the phrase “Freedom is choice”. Not so subtle subliminal messaging and citizen control in the dystopian society, perhaps?

Every scene is interspersed with flames: books burning, fire shooting from a flame thrower, explosions, fire, orange glows. There is no questioning the premise of this film: everything must burn.

RELATED: FAHRENHEIT 451 Teaser Makes Us Want to Burn

Watch the fiery trailer below

There is more packed in the two minute trailer, just take a look for yourself below. Don’t get too close to the fire, though; we aren’t responsible for any burns to you or your property. Are you looking forward to the new adaptation?

Fahrenheit 451 is based on Ray Bradbury’s classic novel, adapted by Ramin Bahrani. In a future where the media is an opiate, history is rewritten and “firemen” burn books, Michael B. Jordan plays Guy Montag, a young fireman who struggles with his role as law enforcer and with his “mentor”, played by Michael Shannon. The film also stars Sofia Boutella (The Mummy).

Fahrenheit 451 will be released May 19, 2018. 

 

 

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