Robert Schwentke to Direct Summit Entertainment’s Insurgent

Robert Schwentke will direct Summit Entertainment’s Insurgent, the sequel to the studio’s futuristic adventure Divergent based on author Veronica Roth’s New York Times best seller series. The film will be directed from a script currently being written by Akiva Goldsman from a draft initially written by Brian Duffield.

Douglas Wick and Lucy Fisher will produce the film via their Red Wagon Entertainment banner along with Pouya Shahbazian. Todd Lieberman and David Hoberman will executive produce the movie via their Mandeville Films banner along with Barry Waldman. Insurgent, which is scheduled for release on March 20, 2015, will be filmed in Atlanta, GA and Chicago, IL. The third film in the series, Allegiant, is slated for release on March 18, 2016.

In the thrilling sequel to Divergent, Insurgent continues the journey of Tris Prior (Shailene Woodley) as war now looms. Sides will be chosen, secrets will emerge, and to uncover the truth about her world, Tris must be stronger than ever because shocking choices and sacrifices lie ahead.

Erik Feig, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group’s President of Production, said, “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. 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.”

Divergent will be released theatrically nationwide on Friday, March 21, 2014. The film stars Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Ashley Judd, Jai Courtney, Ray Stevenson, Zoe Kravitz, Miles Teller, Tony Goldwyn, Ansel Elgort, Maggie Q, Mekhi Phifer, and Kate Winslet, and is directed by Neil Burger from a screenplay by Evan Daugherty and Vanessa Taylor.

Schwentke previously worked with Summit Entertainment directing the studio’s action-comedy hit RED. His other credits include directing The Time Traveler’s Wife and Flightplan.

Erik Feig, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group’s President of Production, and Gillian Bohrer, Lionsgate’s SVP of Production, are overseeing the project for the studio.