We've made no secret of our love for Veronica Roth's debut novel, "Divergent"—an action-packed read that follows teen heroine Tris as she embarks on a new life, in a new faction of dystopian Chicago. You can imagine, then, how excited we were to chat with Veronica at San Diego Comic-Con last week to get an update on the film adaptation being produced by Summit Entertainment.
Last we had heard, Evan Daugherty, who wrote the screenplay for "Snow White and the Huntsman," had been hired to write the script for "Divergent." So what's the latest?
"I actually met him today," Veronica told us. "And he got my email so we can be in contact about some of the things—I think he has a pretty good image of some of the places and characters, but some of them are a little iffy for him, so he's going to be asking me questions."
Of course, with a finished script will come a casting call, and in finding the perfect Tris, Veronica is hoping more for someone with stellar acting chops than someone with the right-colored locks. "For me, they are clearly their own people, so if I had a dream cast, it would be people who are relatively unknown or anyone who can capture the sort of tough but vulnerable spirit Tris has," she said. "I'd rather have a good actor than an actor who looks just right."
Fans (including Hollywood Crush) have been casting Tris since the best-seller hit bookstores back in May, and Veronica's been surprised at how aesthetically gifted the picks have been so far. "[Fans] usually plck someone for Tris who is much more gorgeous than she is," Veronica explained. "Tris is supposed to be plain, she really is. I mean, that's not really a big deal...but it's been spot-on otherwise."
Ultimately, Veronica's taking a laid-back role in the movie-making process, opting instead to focus on the series' next two installments. "I think, for now, I'm just focusing on writing because there are two more books in this trilogy and you have to get them done."
Indeed you do, Ms. Roth. Our bookshelves are pining for them.
Are you excited about progress being made on the "Divergent" movie? Are you counting the days until "Insurgent" is released? Tell us in the comments and on Twitter!
** Hollywood Crush Twitter