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Shailene Woodley Confirmed for 'Spider-Man' + May Get 'Divergent'
by Ethan Anderton
October 19, 2012
Source: Heat Vision
Sounds like it's a good month for Shailene Woodley. Last year the young actress made waves with a spectacular performance in The Descendants, but 2014 might bring her biggest career boost yet. Heat Vision has word that Woodley is now in talks to lead the recently announced adaptation of Veronica Roth's young adult novel Divergent, the first in a series. In addition, following last week's report that that actress was the top choice to play Mary Jane Watson in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, it sounds like a deal has been struck between Columbia Pictures and Woodley as she has been confirmed to take the iconic comic role.
First, let's talk about Divergent, and then after that, we'll get into The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (if you want to remain spoiler free, you'll want to stop reading after the book synopsis below). Neil Burger is directing Divergent, but we're not sure who's scripting the film yet. Production is supposed to begin in March with an eye towards an early 2014 release, so we'll likely hear more about casting as the project develops. If this project takes off similar to The Hunger Games, Woodley will hopefully be able to leave behind her soap opera level series "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" on ABC Family. She's just better than that. In the meantime, here's the official synopsis for Divergent:
In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.
Now as for The Amazing Spider-Man 2, we've been wondering if the introduction of Peter Parker's iconic love interest Mary Jane Watson meant that the new film adaptation would stick to the comics and bring about the demise of Gwen Stacy. In the comics, the character brought to life properly for the first time by Emma Stone is killed when Spider-Man tries to save her from the Green Goblin and accidentally kills her in the process. As we've pointed out, it's a defining moment in the comic books. Well, Heat Vision says introducing Woodley as Mary Jane is indeed part of a multi-film plan to build to the Death of Gwen Stacy story in the third film. That's definitely something we're looking forward to seeing. How about you?
22 Comments
1
As much as I want to complain about the possibility of her being Tris I can't, since I haven't seen her act in anything. But I'm going to do the typical fangirl not-even-officially-cast-but-I-have-to-panic-because-she-doesn't-look-like-the-Tris-in-my-head-does spaz. ALKJVELKJ! SHE'LL BE HORRIBLE!
teacherkid on Oct 19, 2012
2
Watch The Descendants. Woodley does a phenomenal acting job in that movie. I am actually very excited to see her play Tris. I think she will flesh the character out very well on screen.
Johnny5 on Oct 19, 2012
3
I am glad that she is going to play Mary-Jane. They were planning to incorporate the character in the first film but they felt it was better to focus on Parker's relationship with Gwen Stacey. Her part in the sequel will not be very big, she'll probably drive a wedge between Parker and Gwen if that. I don't see her taking part in the action at all. The inclusion of Mary-Jane certainly confirms the inevitable demise of Gwen. I feel that Gwen will actually die in the sequel just like in the comic books and from there on Parker's relationship with Mary-Jane will build. I love Shailene Woodley. I think that she is a very talented actress. Furthermore, I am very happy to see that she is taking on two big budget projects. If the Divergent film is successful, then she will probably be appearing in a few sequels for the series as well as the 3rd Spider-man film. She is also going to work on some independent films as well. Life after "Secret Life..." looks amazing for her. I can't wait to see what she does next.
Pete on Oct 19, 2012
4
wait...Gwen dies?....
Jericho on Oct 21, 2012
5
She's does not look like MJ Watson!! This moron director probably had something to do with this casting since he's just ticked off at hot women giving him the cold shoulder all his life. Seriously, as we all recall he tried to cast cute Emma Stone as Mary Jane in the first movie. Emma is cute but she's not Mary Jane. And now this woman. He has no respect for the great things about the comic. Mary Janes is different than other attractive women. MJ IS A MODEL WHO FALLS IN LOVE WITH A NERD. IT'S CINDERELLA IN REVERSE. Freaken stupid, and way to take control of things you morons at Marvel. Now we have to wait another ten years for a reboot to get a faithful adaptation. Even Micheal Bay has the sense to cast a role with an attractive woman when it calls for it. Christopher Nolan sticks to what the part of Catwoman should look like. F U marvel.
Wonder Man on Oct 19, 2012
6
Looks like she got the part whether you like it or not. So there...
BloodwerK on Oct 19, 2012
7
I'm glad to know that you don't care about the source material you moron. Why don't you go talk on a wonder twins thread. Since, nobody cares what you think since you make no sense.lol
raptor on Oct 19, 2012
8
Color her hair red and she's Mary Jane. Don't hate...
BloodwerK on Oct 23, 2012
9
Anyone who thinks this is a good casting choice for Mary Jane Watson is either gay or a fat/ugly chick. Stop hiding we see right through you.
Thor's big hammer on Oct 19, 2012
10
Who said it was good casting? I said she got it regardless. Learn to read...
BloodwerK on Oct 23, 2012
11
Wow. It's unbelievable how deeply some men believe their shallow opinion of a woman's "attractiveness" is the gospel truth for everybody, and that anyone who believes her to be indeed good-looking is an idiot. I'm... amazed. Though I shouldn't be at this point.
Kryton on Oct 19, 2012
12
Umm, no there is personal opinion and then there's what 90% of the people AGREE what beauty is. You are coming off as a crazy person. So according to your logic Danny Devito would make a good Thor. According to your logic, forget the muscles and long blonde hair. Wow, does everyone look laugh at you for being an imbecile when they walk by in your daily life. lol
antman on Oct 19, 2012
13
How old are you?
guest on Oct 20, 2012
14
All I know is that anyone who doesnt think shes hot is a closet homosexual
Cody W on Oct 19, 2012
15
haha The ugly chick got exposed.
Tron on Oct 20, 2012
16
Yeah, that ugly chick keeps on trying to justify why beauty doesn't count and is irrelevant. She's so delusional.
God on Oct 20, 2012
17
No shit...
BloodwerK on Oct 23, 2012
18
Both movies will be very big, will it be problems with her scheduling?
Hi on Oct 19, 2012
19
my cousin went to high school with her and said she's a huge bitch. I remain neutral on her acting
anon on Oct 19, 2012
20
nnoooooooooooooooooooo.....!! she can be mary jane. forever kirsten dunst.. <33
So Yun Um on Oct 20, 2012
21
meh... I'll deal
film393 on Oct 21, 2012
22
doesn't she look like a female andrew garfield? that might get weird
nymous on Oct 21, 2012
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