Brenton Thwaites Joins Jeff Bridges in THE GIVER

Australian actor Brenton Thwaites has landed the lead role alongside Jeff Bridges in the feature film adaptation of the fantastic book The Giver. Thwaites hasn't done much, but he will be seen in the upcoming Disney film Maleficent.

I have no idea how good of an actor this kid is, but I hope he has what it takes to pull of this character. The book was written by Lois Lowry, and the story is set in a "colorless dystopian society that enforces Sameness and fears freedom. All memory of human history has been erased, emotion does not exist, and citizens' professions are chosen for them."

The Wrap reports that Thwaites will play Jonas, "the community's Receiver of Memories who spends his days being mentored by the Giver (Bridges), who teaches him to confront and understand the lies that inform society."

This is such a great and powerful story. If you haven't read the book yet I suggest you read it before the movie comes out. The movie is being directed by Philip Noyce, and it's been a passion project for Bridges, who bought the rights to the book over 20 years ago. He's obviously also producing.

Other young actors up for this part included Nick Robinson (The Kings of Summer), Tye Sheridan (Mud) and Dylan Minnette (Prisoners). Only time will tell if the studio and filmmakers made the right choice.