Jai Courtney In ‘Divergent,’ Based On Sci-Fi Novel

Jai Courtney has joined Divergent, a new adventure based on the Veronica Roth sci-fi novel of the same name, Deadline reported on Thursday.

The film will take place in a future world where people are divided into personality groups. Shailene Woodley has stepped into the lead role as a “divergent,” or person who will never fit into any one group.

Woodley’s character unlocks a conspiracy to destroy her kind and must get to the bottom of things before those responsible make good on their plans.

The Hollywood Reporter noted that Courtney has been cast as a heavy.

Those familiar with the Veronica Roth novel will recognize the rising star as Eric, a “face-pierced leader of the Dauntless faction.” The rest of you may choose to wait for March 21, 2014, the film’s official release date, to catch up.

Neil Burger (Limitless) is directing.

Jai Courtney, fresh off his co-starring turn in A Good Day to Die Hard, has started to make a name for himself since first breaking onto the scene with his role in Spartacus for Starz.

Courtney appeared opposite lead Tom Cruise in Jack Reacher, the film version of Lee Child’s popular series of novels. He also aided Bruce Willis and the fifth entry in the Die Hard saga to the top of the box office on opening weekend.

His next film to hit theaters will be I, Frankenstein, due in September.

I, Frankenstein is based on the comic from writer Kevin Grevioux (Underworld fame) and follows the mad doctor’s monstrous creation as he becomes embroiled in a centuries-old war between two immortal clans.

Though no casting information has been released regarding Courtney’s role in the film, he appears to have the lead and will likely star as the Frankenstein Monster opposite Aaron Eckhart and Bill Nighy.

Are you pumped for Jai Courtney in Divergent? Have you read the Veronica Roth novel?