Now that Twilight is gone, Hollywood needs something to fill its place and while there are several film adaptations vying for that role (Beautiful Creatures, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones etc.,) Summit’s Divergent, which is set to star Shailene Woodley, is perhaps one of the most anticipated. Of course, seeing as the film is aiming to hit hard with the young adults, it needs a charming male lead to act opposite Woodley and steal the hearts of young girls everywhere.
We’ve already heard that Luke Bracey (Monte Carlo), Brenton Thwaites (Maleficent) and Irish actor Jack Reynor (who landed a role today in Transformers 4) were testing for the part. Now, Variety is telling us that Jeremy Irvine, who starred in last year’s War Horse, Lucas Till (X-Men: First Class) and Alex Pettyfer, who made an impression in Magic Mike, are trying out as well.
For those unfamiliar with the film, and the novel it is based on, it follows “sixteen year-old Beatrice (Woodley), who lives in a dystopian future where society is divided into five factions based on virtue: Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). Forced to choose which one she’ll live in for the rest of her life — a decision that pulls her between being with her family and staying true to who she is — Beatrice makes a decision that leads to massive changes.”
No final decisions have been made yet on a male lead but with shooting set to start this Spring, we should have our answer soon. For me personally, I don’t really have a strong opinion on this one way or another. I haven’t been particularly taken with any of the above mentioned actors, those who I have seen at least, but if I had to go with one of them, I’d say to go for Pettyfer. I think he can make the biggest impact with the young girls, which is what Summit needs.
Divergent will hit theatres on March 21st, 2014. As we wait to hear who will become the next Robert Pattinson, let us know who you’d like to see in the role.
