Brenton Thwaites has been cast as Jonas in the upcoming adaptation of The Giver.
According to Deadline, Thwaites beat out several other upcoming actors for the lead role of Jonas. Thwaites will be starring opposite Jeff Bridges, who is also producing the film.
Jonas is chosen to be the next Receiver of Memory in his seemingly Utopian society. He bonds with the current Receiver played by Bridges. Throughout the story Jonas discovers the lies and deception his society is built on.
Philip Noyce will direct the adaptation of Lois Lowry’s 1993 dystopian children’s novel. The movie is set to start filming in South Africa this fall. The screenplay was adapted by Vadim Perelman with a rewrite by Michael Mitnick.
Brenton Thwaites is an Australian actor who is best known for his work on Home and Away. He has also just finished several projects, including Son of a Gun and The Signal. He was also cast as the Prince in Maleficent starring Angelina Jolie and Elle Fanning.
With the casting of Thwaites as Jonas, it is clear that the character will be aged up from the 11-year-old in the book. Does it change the story for you if the characters are aged up?