Jeff Bridges Bringing the Sci-Fi Novel THE GIVER to the Big Screen
Actor Jeff Bridges and producer Nikki Silver are set to produce a feature film adaptation of the Lois Lowry novel The Giver. This is a project that they've been trying to get off the for over 10 years. At one point they lost the rights to Warner Bros. who didn't do anything with it. Once the rights became available again Bridges and Silver once again snatched them up, and are going to give it another go.
The story follows "a 12-year-old boy who lives in a futuristic utopian society where all memory of human history has been erased. His life is thrown into turmoil when he is designated to inherit the role of the Giver and bear his community's vast range of human emotions, which causes him to realize that living a pain-free life comes at a high cost."
I recently listened to the book for the first time on a road trip, and this story will make for an amazingly good film if they do it right. I love that Bridges is attached to it, but I'm interested to see who they end up bringing on to direct the film, and the actors who will portray the characters. It looks like Bridges will end up taking on the role of The Giver. I originally imagined Robert Duvall in the role, but Bridges is pretty solid casting, and I can't complain. Vadim Perelman (The House of Sand and Fog) is still attached to write the script.
Bridges was introduced to the book by his daughter and here's what he had to say in a statement,
I originally thought of the role of the Giver as a vehicle for my father, the late Lloyd Bridges, however, at 61-years-old I feel the time is right for me to do it.
I'm excited to see how this film gets made. If you haven't read the book you should check it out. If you have read the book what do you think about the film getting adapted by Jeff Bridges and the fact that he will be taking on the role of The Giver in the film?
Here's the official description of the book:
Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear of pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the community. When Jonas turns 12 he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.