Watch CBS News

"The Giver" Casts Screen Legends & Brings New Names To The Big Screen

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – It took nearly two decades to get the award-winning book "The Giver" to the big screen—but the film has finally made it to theaters.

"The Giver" has screen legends Meryl Streep and Jeff Bridges, but it's the new kids on the big screen, Brenton Thwaites and Odeya Rush, that get all the attention and most of the screen time in the movie.

"It's a film where our hero is armed with knowledge and ideas instead of violence," Thwaites said.

Brenton Thwaites plays an 11-year-old boy named Jonas who discovers his utopian world of sameness isn't all it's cracked up to be. There may not be suffering, hunger, and war, but his community also lacks color, music, and love.

Jonas and his friend, Fiona, played by 17-year-old Rush, explore their feelings for one another. It's a role the young Israeli says she fought for.

Click here to WATCH CBS4's Vanessa Borge's report 

"It just felt like they needed to look at everybody in the world to feel confident in me because I am new to this. It is taking a big chance," Rush said.

The young adult book is required reading in many middle schools across America.

Katie Holmes and Taylor Swift also star in the film.

RELATED CONTENT:

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.