Although they arguably became most prominent after starring in theDivergentseries, Shailene Woodley and Miles Teller have a collaboration history that extends far beyond the YA franchise. The pair were among a generation of up-and-comers in the 2010s, with career-making roles in projects likeThe Fault In Our StarsandWhiplash. However,Divergenthelped elevate both Woodley and Teller to new heights, introducing them to a wider audience and establishing their franchise credentials.
Even thoughtheDivergentseriesfailed to live up to its source material (with the second part ofAllegiantnever arriving in theaters), it remains a major marker in both Teller and Woodley’s careers. Yet, even though it remains a prominent on-screen partnership between the two,it was not the first time they worked together. In fact, the two starred together in a much smaller YA project a year before, sowing the seeds for what was to come inDivergent. Even though the later project stole the headlines, it’s clear in hindsight that the pair’s 2013 collaboration was much more successful.
Divergent Series Cast & Character Guide
The three Divergent movies starred Shailene Woodley and Theo James in the lead roles, with a massive ensemble cast of supporting characters.
Shailene Woodley & Miles Teller
Starred In 2013’s The Spectacular Now
Unlike many of the most popular YA franchises of the early 2010s, such asThe Hunger Games,The Spectacular Nowwas a much less fantastical entry into the genre. Instead of highly stylized world-building, the book and movie revolve around a dark love story between Sutter, played by Miles Teller, and Aimee, played by Shailene Woodley. The two leads navigate life as teenagers in an atypical story of a toxic relationship at a particularly vulnerable time in a person’s life.
The authentic tone of the film sets it apart from other similar teen romances and depicts a more tangible and relatable experience – something that is reflected in Woodley and Teller’s performances.In an interview at the time withEntertainment Weekly, Woodley said:
“One of the things that first drew me toSpectacular Nowwas that, in high school, so many girls fall in love with someone, and they end up losing a lot of who they are because they’re so into the other person. And I went through that in high school, where I gave myself away for a different human being. It was a toxic relationship.”
Despite this distinctive element,The Spectacular Nowis certainly not one of the well-known projects of either actor’s career.However, its positive critical reception (with a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes) and bold approach to difficult themes makes it a great addition to the YA genre – and a much moresuccessful adaptation thanDivergent.
Why The Divergent Movies Failed
Despite Having A Great Cast
Divergentwas one of the few names that stuck in the YA dystopian craze era, primarily kicked off byThe Hunger Games’success.It had a strong female lead, an intense romantic plot, and a dystopian world divided by a strict, oppressive political system. The first film enjoyed financial success and mixed reviews, and quickly gained a large fan base – many of whom were already familiar with the story thanks to the popular book series.
Allegiantmade $179.2 million worldwide on a $142 million budget.
But things started to spiral when the third film was released. The second was met with mixed critical reception and when the third came out, the genre was on its last legs and success was far from guaranteed.Allegiantmade $179.2 million worldwide on a $142 million budget. This made it the lowest-grossing of the series. After rotating creatives, the cast’s declining interest, and a potential TV series shift, the fourth and final film was abandoned. However, whileDivergentwas ultimately a disappointment for both Woodley and Teller, their earlier work onThe Spectacular Nowhad already proved their credentials.
