Shailene Woodley is on fire right now!
Last week it was confirmed that the 20-year-old actress was in talks for the role of Mary Jane Watson for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 & 3. And today Sony made their decision –Woodley has been cast as Peter Parker’s feisty red-head love interest, but the news doesn’t stop there.
Fans of Veronica Roth’s Divergent rejoiced today as Summit Entertainment moved forward with casting. Summit purchased the film rights to the young author’s first novel back in April 2012, and they’re now ready to push things forward to preproduction. So where does Woodley fall in?
Well, she’s currently in talks to play the novel’s 16-year-old protagonist, Tris. Fans of both Spider-Man and Divergent seem pleased with the announcements. If Woodley accepts the role of Tris, she’ll be on the fast track as one of Hollywood’s rising stars. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Welcome, Mary Jane Watson!
It was first believed that Woodley’s schedule would conflict with the production of The Amazing Spider-Man 2, but come to find out Sony has different plans for the character in the following sequel, which allowed Woodley to accept the role.
If you’re not aware of Peter Parker’s history with Gwen Stacy & Mary Jane, turn away now as this could spoil your preconceptions. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 will more than likely include the death of Parker’s (Andrew Garfield) first love, Gwen Stacy (Emma Watson), who dies at the hands of the Green Goblin.
Mary Jane’s role in the second installment will be small as she’ll serve as a “transition character” to get us into the third film. The tragedy, though sad, turns our favorite web-slinging hero into the character we’ve come to understand over the years. Stone is fully aware that Stacy gets killed off in the comics, but she’s never admitted if that’s what the producers had planned for the character.
‘Divergent’ = Woodley’s Missed ‘Hunger Games’ Moment
Lionsgate & Summit Entertainment are on the fast track to dominating the box office yet again. Of course the goal for Divergent is to have the film reach the success of Twilight, The Hunger Games, and Harry Potter; and there’s no reason why it can’t as the novels have a strong following.
Lionsgate is now the proud production house of Twilight, The Hunger Games, and now, Divergent. Remember, Lionsgate acquired the rights to Summit for $412.5 million this year. Looks like that’s one investment that paid off!
If you weren’t aware, Woodley was one of Lionsgate’s options for the role of The Hunger Games’ Katniss Everdeen. Woodley auditioned, but the part went to Jennifer Lawrence. But not to worry, she now has a franchise to call her own.
Get this: The author of Divergent, Veronica Roth, is only 24 years of age… 24! She’s currently writing the third book, which she has yet to give a title. No one knows for sure how many books the series will spawn, but the author’s debut novel stayed on the Best Seller’s list for twelve weeks. Expect these books to fly off the shelves starting this winter.
The storyline has been compared to that of The Hunger Games as both involve young adults in a dystopian future trying to find their place. In Divergent, the city of Chicago has been divided into five different factions based on five virtues — the honest, the intelligent, the selfless, the peaceful, and the courageous. Our main character Tris, who belongs to the selfless, leaves her faction to join a rival one, but during the initiation ceremony she falls in love and both are on a mission to discover life outside the system.
What Do You Think?
Is Woodley the right actress for Mary Jane Watson and Tris? I actually saw The Descendants for the first time several days ago, and thought she did fantastic. Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment in the box below.
