Lionsgate has released the first official image from Insurgent, the second installment in the Divergent trilogy starring Shailene Woodley (The Spectacular Now). The image features Theo James (Underworld: Awakening) as Tobias Eaton, leading the charge with Tris (Woodley) and her brother Caleb Prior (Ansel Elgort, The Fault in Our Stars) bringing up the rear. This visual teases the transformations these characters are about to undergo following the explosive events of the first film. All three have shed their factions’ particular mono-colored uniforms, switching to a more individualized wardrobe and unifying to protect their people against the forces threatening their city and their free will.
The Lionsgate facebook has captioned this photo “Brace yourselves, Initiates… Friday 12/12.” Fans have already become privy to Insurgent‘s teaser trailer, featuring heavy CGI, as well as a tense and action-packed dream sequence between Tris and her dead mother, portrayed by Ashley Judd (Where the Heart is). It’s possible the still was released as a preview for the full trailer. If our assumption proves correct, fans should expect some more revealing footage, hopefully featuring the film’s new characters and actors, including Octavia Spencer (The Help) and Daniel Dae Kim (TV’s Hawaii Five-O) as faction leaders Johanna, and Jack Kang respectively.
Additionally, Insurgent director Robert Schwentke (Flightplan) has been confirmed as returning for the series’ next film Allegiant- Part 1, according to Variety. This could be a sign of good faith by Lionsgate in the upcoming success of the second installment, and Schwentke’s hand in the final product. However, it is currently unknown whether or not he will also be back for Part 2. In the meantime, once Insurgent premieres on March 20 of next year, Schwentke and company will have to immediately get back to work on Allegiant- Part 1, as it is scheduled to be released within a year’s time, in March of 2016.