A recent story from EW has confirmed a report from Variety claiming Kate Winslet is in talks to co-star in an upcoming Neil Burger film called Divergent.
Divergent is a 2011 novel by author Veronica Roth. The first in a trilogy, Divergent takes place a futuristic and dystopian Chicago. Shailene Woodley, who’s enjoyed success in 2011’s The Descendants as well as in the 2008 series The Secret Life of the American Teenager, will be leading the film adaptation as Beatrice Prior. The male lead, known only as Four, has yet to be cast but requires your typical dark, mysterious and alluring actor.
While the studio has been quite close-lipped as to what role Kate Winslet will be taking on, the EW reporter feels that the main antagonist of Jeanine Matthews will suit her beautifully. Since winning her Oscar in 2008’s The Reader, Kate Winslet’s roles have varied; she gave quite the performance in 2008’s Revolutionary Road, remained comically childish in 2011’s Carnage, and thrillingly suspenseful in 2011’s Contagion. She’ll next showcase her immaturity in this year’s Movie 43.
Kate Winslet is a great casting choice that brings with it a significant amount of weight. Critics and audiences alike know a project should be taken seriously when you mention an actress of Winslet’s caliber. While her role in The Reader was somewhat of an antagonist, it’ll be interesting to see Kate Winslet get in touch with her bad side and really shine (if that’s the role she’s taking, anyway). Director Neil Burger has shown his potentiall in 2011’s Limitless, and it’ll be interesting to see what he can put together given the source material. We’ll try to forget — or at least forgive — The Illusionist in the meantime.
Needless to say, we’re excited about Kate Winslet’s casting and can’t wait to report on Divergent more. Be sure to check back as updates and information are released. The film is not due out until March 2014, so we predict there will be plenty of time.
