USA: "Divergent" stars discuss pressure of making latest film adaptation of young adult best-seller

Record ID: 858642

  • Title: USA: "Divergent" stars discuss pressure of making latest film adaptation of young adult best-seller
  • Date: 19th March 2014
  • Summary: BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (MARCH 8, 2014) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) ACTRESS SHAILENE WOODLEY SAYING: "I wanted to play Tris because I was really inspired by the fact she became an incredibly tough empowered woman, but didn't start off that way. Her journey, it forced her to examine what she valued most in life, and at a very young age, she was able to realize that the biggest gift she could give to society and give to the world and to herself was to live for her, and not live in pursuit of others."
  • Embargoed: 3rd April 2014 13:00
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  • Location: Usa
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  • Country: USA
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVADNJVL54ZVHQ9PL06DVT56D9J
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  • Story Text: A futuristic utopia is divided into five communities, each defined entirely by one personality trait - wisdom, honesty, selflessness, kindness and bravery. But can humans be defined by just one? That's the question at the core of new film "Divergent," out in U.S. theaters on Friday (March 21). It is the latest movie adapted from a young adult novel series that features a lead female heroine who goes on an epic journey in a post-apocalyptic, dystopian world where people lead dehumanized lives.
    Shailene Woodley plays the main character of Tris Prior, who discovers she is 'divergent,' meaning that she doesn't fit into any of the futuristic society's five categories.
    Woodley sat down with Reuters for an interview and said that what truly drew her to the role was her character's transition from fear to courage over the course of the film.
    "I wanted to play Tris because I was really inspired by the fact she became an incredibly tough empowered woman, but didn't start off that way. Her journey, it forced her to examine what she valued most in life, and at a very young age, she was able to realize that the biggest gift she could give to society and give to the world and to herself was to live for her, and not live in pursuit of others," Woodley said.
    The "Divergent" book trilogy by Veronica Roth has already sold millions of copies around the world, giving the film a significant fan base right from the start. But for many of the actors in the film, the added pressure of living up to the fans' expectations was simply something they had to block out.
    "People say is there pressure to do the character, to live up to expectations, but I think we feel like we've done a good job and as long as we've done that, then people love the characters, then you just have to let it go," said Theo James, who plays Tris' love interest and mentor, Four.
    His thoughts were echoed by Miles Teller, who plays Tris' nemesis, Peter.
    "You can't take the weight of the world on your shoulders, you know at the end of the day we're just trying to do the best job that we can. I think if you prepare fully and you do everything that you know that you could then, hey man, you've got nothing but pride in that performance," Teller said.
    The premise of "Divergent" has drawn comparisons to the runaway success of "The Hunger Games," but despite being in the same young adult, dystopian genre, "Divergent" hinges on a society that attempts to curb human nature with neurological manipulation. Lions Gate, the film studio also behind "Hunger Games" and the "Twilight" saga, is hoping "Divergent," with its devoted fan base, will kick off a new franchise. A second film "Insurgent" is already in the works for 2015.
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