Divergent has found a big name to add to its small but growing cast. Kate Winslet is in talks to join the movie based on the first in a trilogy of young adult novels.
Shailene Woodley is set to play the lead, with Winslet in an unspecified supporting role. This would mark Winslet's first franchise, if the movie does well.
The male lead has yet to be cast, but Summit wants to adapt the entire trilogy. Neil Burger (Limitless, The Illusionist) will helm. It is set to release March 21, 2014.
Book Description:
From the brink of apocalypse, humanity has reorganized itself into five factions, each of which uphold and live by a single core value. Abnegation (the Selfless), the Erudite (the Intelligent), Candor (the Honest), Amity (the Peaceful), and the Dauntless (the Brave). Born into a Abnegation family, Beatrice has lived her life trying to uphold the ideals of her parents. Outfitted in modest grey clothing, the required style of her faction, Beatrice strives to be as selfless as the rest of her family, but faction beliefs, like giving your seat to others on public transit, do not come naturally to her. Caught between her love of her family and following her heart, Beatrice struggles in her Abnegation role. Wistfully observing the daredevil chaos of the Dauntless-born children as they crow and leap from running trains on the way to school, Beatrice feels conflicted. Society mandates that each year, all sixteen-year-olds must take an aptitude test, which determines the faction each is most suited for.
I really like Winslet and Burger but the story of Divergent and even its logo seems like a complete rip off of the Hunger Games. The author Veronica Roth has stated she thought of the idea during college. I don't buy it, but I will give credit, it's a smart way to make money.
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