He may not have won one of the (Optimus) prime roles in Transformers 4, but Aussie actor Brenton Thwaites didn’t have to wait long for a big film: he was snapped up to appear as the Prince in Maleficent. Now he’s on for another, scoring a co-starring role alongside Jeff Bridges In **The Giver.
The Weinstein Company and Walden Media are developing the adaptation of Lois Lowry’s book, set in a grey dystopian future society where everything must be the same and freedom is outlawed. In this chilling realm, human history has been erased, emotions are removed and everyone’s job is chosen for them. Think Equilibrium, but more so.
Thwaites will be Jonas, the community's Receiver Of Memories, who is allowed a peek at the lies that underpin this society. He’s mentored by Bridges’ Giver, and slowly starts to yearn for freedom and honesty, which makes him an outcast.
Philip Noyce is directing the film, which was spearheaded by Bridges. The actor nabbed the rights to the book two decades ago after his daughter gave him the book.
Along with Maleficent (due July 4 next year), Thwaites has also recently worked on indies Oculus, Son Of A Gun and The Signal.