For many, watching a favorite book being turned into a movie on the big screen can be a bit nerve wracking. Seeing a beloved book being turned into a movie can either be a nightmare or fulfill all hopes and expectations.

In 1993, the world was hit with an outstanding novel by Lois Lowry: The Giver. In 1994 it received the Newbury Medal, and has currently had over 10 million copies sold. The dystopian novel tells the story of a teenage boy, Jonas, growing up in a supposed Utopian society. As the novel progresses, Jonas’ seemingly perfect society begins to show its true colors. The Giver became a very popular addition to middle school and high school required reading. Yet after being reviewed more heavily by parents, the novel was banned on many occasions from schools due to it containing themes of murder, suicide, and sexual material. Despite the attempts to ban the book on many occasions, it remained popular, and was truly a staple for the now teen, and twenty something generation.

Ever since the book was released talk of it being made into a movie immediately began. Now, 21 years after its first printing, a film adaptation will be hitting the screen this year. The trailer was just released this month, on March 19th, and it seems to be lacking a few things.

Colors play a big role in the novel, but the trailer leads many to believe that same part of the book may not be a part of the movie. Also in the trailer the cast is revealed, which includes Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep and Taylor Swift.

Fans are hoping for the best, despite the apparent discrepancy in the trailer, along with the fact that a not so well known actor is taking on the role of the protagonist, Jonas. The movie will hit theaters this summer on August 15th, and will no doubt draw a large crowd, due to the books popularity as well as the rise of popularity in dystopian science fiction.

As fans of the novel, we can only hope this film adaptation will be a dream come true rather than a butchered travesty of the original story.