Let's Talk Book to Movie! With Guest Blogger Spencer Blohm

Books have always been inspirations for film. It’s no wonder, since novels have lots of plot and character depth, which means scriptwriters and filmmakers have plenty to work with when creating a movie. Below, you’ll find a recent Movie Adaptation, and the news surrounding it:

Divergent By Veronica Roth - In Theaters March 21, 2014! 

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, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Yay yay! Divergent is almost upon us, and I am so stoked for it. 

I can not wait to see what Hollywood has brought to this epic dystopian story. After Divergent's publication in 2012, Veronica Roth jumped quickly into my Top 5 authors of the year and stayed there. I LOVED this book, much more than Hunger Games, which the literary community seems to make comparisons to on a regular basis. 

Let's welcome back media blogger Spencer Blohm, to discuss the deets on what is sure to be a blockbuster hit!

~ Divergent Movie Adaptation ~

With less than a month until the film hits theaters, the anticipation of the big screen adaptation of Veronica Roth’s tale of a dystopian Chicago is just picking up. The all star cast is led by up and comers Shailene Woodley and Miles Teller (previously on screen together in The Spectacular Now) who will play Beatrice (Tris) Prior and Peter. In addition to these two, other star castings include Kate Winslet, Zoe Kravitz, Maggie Q, Ashley Judd, and Tony Goldwyn. 

The film chronicles the journey of Tris as she struggles to fit into her newly chosen faction of the city. After being classified as a “Divergent” through an aptitude test, meaning she showed equal aptitude for three different factions, Tris is forced to choose where she will make her new home. She decides to leave her native Abnegation, a place for the selfless, in favor of Dauntless, meant for the brave. She faces a daunting (of course) initiation that, if she fails to pass, would leave her factionless, without a home. For residents of Chicago, especially, this film is a must-see. The book was written by Chicagoland native and the movie was filmed almost entirely in the city during last summer. It’s going to be fun to see famous Chicago spots like the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel, 17th Church of Christ, Scientist, and Michigan Avenue given the decaying and futuristic treatment by set designers.

Thanks so much for being with us for another Book to Movie talk!

I'm excited to hear the verdict after Divergent releases in theaters on the 21st!