Robert Schwentke Takes Over as Director of DIVERGENT Sequel

By: Caryn Robbins Feb. 12, 2014

Summit Entertainment has announced that Robert Schwentke has been chosen to replace Neil Burger as director of "Insurgent," the sequel to the upcoming adaptation of Veronica Roth's "Divergent."

"We are excited to announce that we have found the perfect director to carry on the story of Tris Prior and the expanded world of 'Insurgent' in Robert Schwentke," Erik Feig, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group's President of Production, said in a statement. (Lionsgate owns Summit Entertainment, the studio releasing "Insurgent.") "Robert, with whom we have already had a successful relationship, has proven a master storyteller in multiple genres and we can't wait to see what he brings to Veronica Roth's next installment of the 'Divergent' series. As well, we are very happy to welcome Todd Lieberman and David Hoberman to the team as executive producers."

Schwentke previously directed the 2010 action thriller "Red" for Summit Entertainment which earned $199 million worldwide.

"Divergent" stars Shailene Woodley as Tris Prior, and features an all-star cast that includes Kate Winslet, Miles Teller, Maggie Q, Theo James, Ansel Elgort, Ashley Judd, Mekhi Phifer and Jai Courtney. Summit will release the film on March 21. "Insurgent" is due in theaters on March 20, 2015.

"Insurgent" is "currently being written by Akiva Goldsman from a draft initially written by Brian Duffield."