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Kate Winslet Goes Young Adult in 'Divergent' Starring Shailene Woodley

by Ethan Anderton
January 24, 2013
Source: Variety

Hot on the heels of Smashed and The Spectacular Now director James Ponsoldt taking on an adaptation of the young adult novels The Pure Trilogy, a more familiar name is heading into tween territory as well. Shailene Woodley is already confirmed to lead Summit Entertainment's adaptation of Veronica Roth's book Divergent, the first in a hopeful trilogy of movies, and now Variety reports Kate Winslet is currently in talks to take an unknown role. Directed by Neil Burger (Limitless) the story is set in a dystopian future Chicago with the city separated into five factions, so it has shades of The Hunger Games, hence the appeal.

Here's a more detailed synopsis of the book:

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.

Winslet would likely have a major supporting role, but since we're not sure of her character, there's no telling if she would be on for the whole trilogy. In addition, Summit is still on the hunt for a male lead to star opposite Woodley with names like Alex Pettyfer and Lucas Till in the mix. In the meantime, Vanessa Taylor ("Alias" and "Game of Thrones" writer and producer) is rewriting the script which will mark Winslet's first franchise role. The film is supposed to hit theaters on March 21st, 2014, so production will likely begin this spring to meet that date. It's a good start for the cast, so we're hoping for the best.

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