The first look at The Giver has just been released. It features two of the main cast members, Jeff Bridges and Brenton Thwaites.
In a year filled with book to film adaptations, The Giver is certainly one of the most highly anticipated. Adapted from the classic book by Lois Lowry, The Giver has been a pet project of Jeff Bridges for some time and is finally happening.
Ever since the book was released in 1993, Bridges has wanted to turn it into a film. Originally, Bridges wanted his father Lloyd to play the titular part, but he unfortunately passed in 1998. It’s been an uphill battle for the film to get made since, but it’s finally happening this year.
Bridges is now playing the titular part himself as well as serving as one of the film’s producers.
The cast of The Giver is a huge and talented cast that the great book deserves. Alongside Bridges, newcomer Brenton Thwaites will star as Jonas, Meryl Streep as Chief Elder, Alexander Skarsgård as Jonas’ father, Katie Holmes as Jonas’ mother, and Taylor Swift as Rosemary, among others.
Today, EW has premiered two images that give us the first look at the film. Unsurprisingly, Bridges and Thwaites are featured, giving us a look at the two most important characters.
It’s interesting to see Bridges’ look here. He doesn’t look that much like himself, but he does look a lot like his dad, and that’s on purpose.
While Jonas is only 12 in the novel, he’s clearly older here. In the film, he’ll be 16, a decision that was tough to make.
“I originally kind of balked at the idea of making the lead character older,” Bridges said. “We were so lucky to have Thwaites play this role. He does a beautiful job.”
Bridges also said that author Lowry was on set and worked closely with Bridges and director Phillip Noyce to make sure her vision stayed true in the film. Even though many things were altered, she was okay with all of them.