Debra writes for the JTA, and is a former features writer for The Times of Israel.
A screenshot from the new 'Giver' featurette. (Via Yahoo)
The company behind a highly anticipated cinematic adaptation of tween-lit queen Lois Lowry’s beloved young adult novel “The Giver” released an extended featurette Sunday, as frenzy for the film, which includes Israeli ingénue Odeya Rush among its star-studded cast, hit a fever pitch.
“The Giver,” a sci-fi look at a dystopian, faux-harmonic future, will not hit the big screen until August 15. But when its first trailer emerged in March, showing Rush alongside stars Meryl Streep, Jeff Bridges, Brendon Thwaites, Taylor Swift, Katie Holmes and Alexander Skarsgard, diehard fans of the book were in an uproar because it appeared that the entire movie was shot in color.
“The Giver” is famously set in a world in which the abilities to see color is reserved for a precious few community members, and the two-minute featurette, which shows new black-and-white footage as well as commentary from Lowry herself, seems meant to quell fans’ anxiety that the film would significantly deviate from the book.
Haifa-born Rush, 16, has been compared to Angelina Jolie and Mila Kunis.
Rush, who has been racking up accolades for her roles in “Goosebumps,” “Curb Your Enthusiam” and “Law And Order,” plays Fiona in the film. She also plays the title role in the upcoming “Mary, Mother of Christ.”
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On her Instagram feed, she’s been busy sharing pics of herself on the “Giver” set, including a warm hug with crooner Taylor Swift and a sneak peek of one of her screenshots.
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