It’s Friday, which means it’s the second week of Casting Call. This week we’re tackling the upcoming adaptation of ‘Divergent’ by Veronica Roth. Unlike last week when we all picked a complete slate of actors to play the main characters, this week we’re diversifying. Each of us has two different characters to cast, and I landed my favorite two guys in the book (huzzah!): Four and Uriah. But you can’t just stop here. You simply must check out the rest of the cast: YA Crush (Tris and Mr. Prior), The Grown-Up YA (Will and Eric), Gone Pecan (Caleb and Peter) and The Book Addict’s Guide (Christina and Mrs. Prior)
Nicholas Hoult as “Four”
I didn’t have to think too hard to pick Nicholas Hoult, because he captures the edgy intensity that Four displays as a Dauntless instructor who takes a shine to Tris. The very first thing that Tris notices about Four is his blue, blue eyes, and one glance at the picture makes it obvious how mesmerizing Hoult’s baby blues are (just ask his love Jennifer Lawrence, who plays Katniss in “The Hunger Games”). Hoult has been acting since he was little (remember the pudgy kid in “About a Boy”?), and as an adolescent he proved his acting chops in the U.K. series “Skins,” the Oscar-nominated drama “A Single Man,” and most recently his turn as a young “Beast” in “X-Men: First Class.” Because he can be both dead sexy and dead serious; because he can summon a vulnerability or a cocky self-confidence; because he would have killer chemistry with the Tris that Tee has picked, Hoult is my “Four.”
Michael B. Jordan as Uriah
Uriah is a Dauntless-born initiate into the Dauntless Faction. That means he was basically born to be fearless. Physically he’s described as incredibly handsome with bronzed brown skin, dark eyes, and an infectious, irresistible smile. Not only is he brave, but he’s got an eye for the ladies, knows how to make people laugh, and is an all-around great guy. I have been following Jordan’s career since he played young Wallace on the first season of HBO’s “The Wire.” He was also on the last two seasons of “Friday Night Lights,” proving once again that the casting director on that series was a genius. Jordan would be perfect as Uriah.
Don’t bother testing either of these actors, just offer them the roles, “Divergent” producers!
Honesty Clause: In our development of this feature we discovered that the book blog Lit Snit featured “Casting Call Fridays.” Our Casting Call feature is in no way purposefully copying or stealing this idea and any similarities is purely coincidental. Also, you should check out their casting because it rocks!
I love your choice for Four! And WOW his eyes are so blue in that picture!!
I really like Michael B. Jordan. I haven’t seen The Wire, but I think he did a great job in FNL. His personality totally fits perfectly too!
Yay! I interviewed Nicholas a couple of years ago, and he was so genuinely clever and sweet. Plus, he’s gotta be great if Jen Lawrence is with him, in my opinion. The Wire is hard to watch, but it’s one of the best shows, hands down, of the last 20 years.
Nicholas was soo good in A Single Man. Loved that movie. He does have some amazing eyes. Also, hello Uriah! come to mama!
It was a fantastic film; he was great in it. I think he’s going to be around for a long time. And yes, his eyes are amazing. Yes, MBJ is dreamy and such a good performer.
Wow… Nicholas sure has grown up since I last saw him! Those eyes, yikes they are blue! Not really what I pictured Four looking like, but I’m thinking maybe I need to change how I picture him! Haven’t seen Michael B. Jordan yet, but he looks like he’d be perfect for Uriah! Great picks!
Ha, yes, he’s not a boy anymore. Michael B. Jordan was in Red Tails and Chronicle last year and has a bunch of stuff coming up, so you’ll see him at some point, I’m sure 🙂
That is an amazing picture of Nicholas Hoult. I’m totally sold. And you’re right, he would have good chemistry with out Tris. Now, I wish I could remember Uriah. I need to reread that stinking book so that I can fall in love with it all over again!
You haven’t read Insurgent yet, right? A lot will come back to you when you read that.
I never thought of Nicholas Hoult for Four, but I think that’s a fab idea! And I’m fully on board with MBJ as Uriah- he’s amazing in all his roles and he can definitely pull off this part.
Hi! It’s so nice to see you around these parts. I subscribe to your site and love your posts. So glad you’re a fellow fan of Nicholas Hoult and MBJ. Hope you’ll come back and say hello again!
I guess I’ll be the voice of dissent, but that’s not how I pictured Four at all. Maybe because I’m older I just didn’t picture him so baby-faced. In my mind he was more rugged. I’ll give you the eyes though.
This is perfect! I absolutely love your choice for Four. Nick would be a perfect Four. The other actor I do not know very well, but looking at him, he looks a lot like the Uriah in my head when I was reading. Fabulous choices for both. 🙂