TIFF Up-and-Comers: Tye Sheridan of ‘Joe’

The fifth and final part of our TIFF up-and-comers series (a continuing look at actors who are set to break out at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival) centres on 16-year-old actor Tye Sheridan, star the dark rural drama "Joe," from “Pineapple Express” director David Gordon Green.

The young Texas native has had an amazing few years, working with some of the biggest Hollywood talent around and some of the most important American filmmakers out there. In 2013, Sheridan continues to demonstrate why he is one of the most promising young actors of his generation.

What do you know him from?

Sheridan made a big splash back in 2011, playing the son of Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain’s characters in filmmaker Terrence Malick’s acclaimed “Tree of Life” – his first ever movie role. After that, Sheridan starred in Jeff Nichols’ 2012 drama “Mud,” opposite Matthew McConaughey and Reese Witherspoon. Not too shabby for your first two acting gigs.

What’s he in at TIFF 2013?

Sheridan stars alongside Nicolas Cage in "Joe," the tale of an ex-con (Cage) who becomes an unlikely role model for a teenager facing physical abuse and poverty at home. Based on the Larry Brown novel and directed by David Gordon Green (returning to his rural roots), the movie won raves at the Venice Film Fest and has been similarly well received by TIFF audiences. Cage is earning some serious buzz for his tortured role, but it’s his young co-star who nearly steals the show in “Joe.” Sheridan received the Marcello Mastroianni Award for best young actor at the recent Venice International Film Festival for his performance in “Joe.”

What does the future hold?
Next up for Sheridan is Kyle Wilamowski’s indie drama “Grass Stains,” the story of a young man coming to terms with his role in a prank gone wrong that caused the death of his girlfriend's brother. The young actor will then be seen in another dark drama, filmmaker Gilles Paquet-Brenner’s “Dark Places,” opposite Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Nicholas Hoult, and Christina Hendricks. After that, Sheridan stars alongside John Travolta and Christopher Plummer in the family crime drama “The Forger.” It’s quite the streak.

There are far worse ways to start out a career than by working with people like Malick and Pitt, Nichols and Witherspoon, Green and Cage. Sheridan has been extremely fortunate to develop as an actor amongst such talents, but "Joe's" positive reception at TIFF 2013 cements the young actor as one heck of a talent in his own right.

Be sure to check out our other TIFF up-and-comers Daniel Brühl, Léa Seydoux, Megan Park, and Callan McAuliffe.

The 2013 Toronto International Film Festival runs until Sept. 15.

More TIFF Features on Yahoo: