Shailene Woodley and Theo James 'Divergent' sequel 'Insurgent' hires 'Beautiful Mind' writer Akiva Goldsman as director

Divergent won't hit theaters until March 21, 2014, but it already has release dates for the sequels set around the same dates for the next two years. This week, a director was hired to take on the first sequel, Insurgent. Oscar-winning writer Akiva Goldsman will direct the next chapter of this Veronica Roth book trilogy adaptation, with stars Shailene Woodley, Miles Teller, Theo James and others returning.

Though this series is expected to garner plenty of success, Divergent director Neil Burger has opted out of directing the first sequel, which led to the search for a replacement. Burger cited scheduling conflicts as to why he wouldn't be able to direct the follow-up to his 2014 film. Insurgent is reportedly set to start filming in the spring of this year.

Slashfilm reports:

Written by Veronica Roth, Divergent unfolds in a dystopian Chicago which is divided into five factions. Each citizen must pledge to one of the groups when he or she comes of age. At the center of the tale is young Tris (Woodley), who must decide whether to remain with the kindly Abnegation faction she grew up in, or join with one of the others. Goldsman's screenwriting credits include Lost in Space, I, Robot, Cinderella Man, and The Da Vinci Code. In 2002, he won the best adapted screenplay Oscar for A Beautiful Mind. This year, he makes his feature directing debut with the fantasy adaptation Winter's Tale, starring Colin Farrell and Jessica Brown Findlay.

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