Success built on hard yards

THE family of Brenton Thwaites has told of their pride in the Cairns actor’s rise from TV soap star to the big screen.

But they warn his path to starring roles in international movies has been no overnight success, more the product of hard work and self-belief.

“He’s worked really hard to get where he is. It was a long process,” Thwaites’ sister Stacey said of her brother’s taxing auditions before he won the part. “We’re really proud of him and we really think he deserves what he’s got.”

The former Cairns State High School student and Home and Away star is spreading his wings, recent- ly filming a cricket-themed movie in India and he will soon relocate to Hollywood to play a lead role in a remake of the 1980 romance and adventure film The Blue Lagoon.

Thwaites will star alongside fellow Home and Away alumni Indiana Evans in a US television remake of the 1980 film that starred Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins.

“It really kicked their careers off, so hopefully it will do the same for him,” Ms Thwaites said.

Thwaites and Evans will play a boy and a girl marooned on a tropical island where they come of age together.

Filming is scheduled for this month in Puerto Rico.

Thwaites’ mum, Fiona Middleton, is thrilled for her son’s success in Hollywood. “I think it’s fantastic; he puts his heart and soul into everything he does,” she said.