Actor Jeff Daniels is in talks to join the cast of ‘Allegiant: Part 1’ and ‘Part 2’, the last two films in Lionsgate’s ‘Divergent’ film franchise.
With shooting to begin in May, Robert Schwentke has been set to take on directorial duties for ‘Part 1’ while a director for ‘Part 2’ has not yet been confirmed.
The two upcoming movies will continue on with the studio’s adaptation of the young adult book series written by Veronica Roth. Shailene Woodley will reprise her role as Tris, a young lady who does not belong to any of the factions that divide and govern their post-apocalyptic society. Consequently, Tris ends up as a leader of an uprising alongside her closest friends.
Daniels will reportedly portray the character of David, the leader of the Bureau of Genetic Welfare. Such agency is responsible for creating the societies which the ‘Divergent’ story is focused on. Interestingly, ‘Allegiant: Part 2’ will be revealing the main reason behind the creation of such factions.
Douglas Wick, Lucy Fisher and Pouya Shahbazian have joined the team to produce the upcoming films. ‘Part 1’ has already been scheduled for an official release on March 18, 2016.
Aside from the last two films of the ‘Divergent’ franchise, Daniels will also appear alongside Matt Damon in the space-rescue drama ‘The Martian’ as directed by Ridley Scott. It has been set to hit cinemas on Nov. 25, 2015.
Daniels will also make a special appearance in the upcoming ‘Steve Jobs’ biopic as he portrays former Apple CEO John Sculleyin. This has also been another opportunity for the actor to reunite with Aaron Sorkin, creator of HBO drama ‘The Newsroom’ in which Daniels is a regular cast member.
Meanwhile, ‘Divergent’ author Roth is expected to release a new series comprised of two books in the next two to three years.
According to Harper Collins Children’s Books, the two novels will show certain elements that are similar to that of ‘Star Wars’ as there is centered on a young boy who unexpectedly develops a friendly bond with an enemy.
"Both desperate to escape their oppressive lives, they help each other attain what they most desire: for one, redemption, and the other, revenge," the publisher stated.
Roth finished working on her bestselling Dystopian trilogy, the ‘Divergent’ series, two years ago. With more than 30 million copies sold, the books have been globally recognized along with Suzanne Collins’ ‘The Hunger Games’ trilogy and John Green’s novels. Such literary pieces have considerably pushed the young adult genre forward among book lover communities.
