Divergent (Divergent, #1) Divergent discussion


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Theo James as Four

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message 1: by Kristina (last edited Aug 05, 2014 02:43PM) (new) - rated it 5 stars

Kristina Honestly, I don't like Theo James as Four in the movie Divergent. I feel like I'm the only one with this opinion, so does anyone agree with me or am I alone in this?

Don't worry. I have reasons.
1.) This is a pretty... picky (?) reason. I think he's too old. His age in reality actually made Four in the movie about 6 years older. I hate that so much!

2.) He didn't fit the description very well (yes, I know, that happens in a lot of movies) but the other actors that were up for this role did fit his description better

Okay, so now, you're probably saying "but it's the acting that counts." And yes, you're absolutely correct. Which moves me to my next point.

3.) I just didn't like his acting overall. Yes, he's a very good actor but I feel like someone could've played the role better. One of my reasons for not liking his acting is: I didn't build a connection to Four like I did in the book because of Theo's acting. I didn't exactly feel his love for Tris, his reactions to his fears. Everything, to me, was just a bit awry.

Now, before you go screaming at me, I did read the book and watched the movie. This is just my opinion, and I hope you all respect it.

Also, I hope I didn't address this in a rude or impolite manner. If I did, I am terribly sorry.

So, what I really want to know, did any of you not like Theo James as Four in Divergent? Or did all of you like him?


Kristen I didn't love him as Four, but I didn't hate him either. Same with the girl. They were just alright for the roles. To be honest though, the movie had bigger problems than the mediocre casting of the lead actors. Like the fact that they screwed up the end.


I think he's too old. His age in reality actually made Four in the movie about 6 years older.

Did they specifically mention his age in the movie? I don't remember, but just because the actor is older, doesn't mean the character is. Plenty of actors play younger roles. Especially in movies like this.


I didn't build a connection to Four

I didn't really either, but for most of the first book, Four was pretty standoffish. I didn't build much of a connection to him then until he started showing some vulnerability.


But, yeah, I agree. I wasn't crazy about the choice.


Anum i agree he's not the person i pictured while reading the book..


Elizabeth Nunez I completely agree. I also have the same problem with Shailene Woodley playing Tris.


T.C. Slonaker I just saw the movie tonight. Theo James grew on me, so I liked him by the end. He was close to what I pictured. What drove me nuts was Al! Nothing like I pictured.


Kristina Thank you all for telling me what you think. c:


Ilana i don't know that i have a negative opinion to his casting - i think that he did a great job. i think that the one thing that i would have thought about more from the book though is that Four's not supposed to be as overtly handsome and in this movie - well, clearly he's attractive and i'm surprised that we didn't see more girls fawning over him.

i think that the age variance was ok too - he's supposed to seem holder and more 'able' than Tris - and i think that the way that he portrayed Four was good. the question though is whether someone who's built like Theo James would ever be abused by his father at such an old age. maybe as a child yes, but if the abuse was going on until Four chose to leave his faction, then i'm just curious if it would have still be going on since he's really muscular and built. Although i guess the assumption is that he got muscles and filled out once he got to Dauntless.


Tana Lovegood of Dumbledore's Army✞~ Rogers/America He seemed a little to old for Four, his acting was alright for me and he seemed to do the "tough" yet " vulnerable" act well like Four. Like Tris's actress I was okay with she was to pretty for Tris in my opinion


Mary He's nothing like what I pictured reading the book, but didn't mind his acting. I'm not sure if the chemistry was quite right with Shailene...It felt a little too mature/overtly sexual/steamy rather than first love innocent/heat steamy (if that makes sense).


Kelly Mary wrote: "He's nothing like what I pictured reading the book, but didn't mind his acting. I'm not sure if the chemistry was quite right with Shailene...It felt a little too mature/overtly sexual/steamy rath..."

I agree! Theo, although a great actor, was not like the book description of Four. In the movie Fourtris' relationship didn't develop the same way as it did in the book. Instead of it being sweet and gradual, Four and Tris fell in love really quickly.


message 11: by Anum (new) - rated it 4 stars

Anum Elizabeth wrote: "I completely agree. I also have the same problem with Shailene Woodley playing Tris."

same here..


message 12: by Asmaa (last edited Aug 09, 2014 12:21PM) (new) - rated it 5 stars

Asmaa I totally disagree , Theo James is an amazing actor , He's good , and he made me like Tobias even more :)
I don't know why u all felt that way , but picking him for this role was the most clever thing ever done in the movie ; He didn't seem old , he was huge , had pretty decent muscles, to seem stronger wich is what Tobias is supposed to be . He had a great chemistry with Shailene and he is goodlooking . You don't like him because you've already build an image of your own Four in your mind so no matter who'll be chosen , It'll always be not good enough For You .


message 13: by Mary (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mary Esma wrote: "I totally disagree , Theo James is an amazing actor , He's good , and he made me like Tobias even more :)
I don't know why u all felt that way , but picking him for this role was the most clever t..."


No Esma...I thought the casting for the Hunger Games was superb even though they weren't as same as the book. I certainly can't imagine Josh Hutcherson throwing around 50 lb sacks of flour, but he made Peeta his own.


Dennis John Yeah Four is blonde and THEO is not but he gave justice to the role.


Cassie    'The Thinker Go Go Go Go' Mis. Roben Goodfellow'\Isabelle Lightwood Kristina wrote: "Honestly, I don't like Theo James as Four in the movie Divergent. I feel like I'm the only one with this opinion, so does anyone agree with me or am I alone in this?

Don't worry. I have reasons.
1..."


Agreed!


Caitlin "Sparkie" I was not opposed to the fact that he was older because in the book I saw him as older more weathered person. The only thing I had a problem with was that it seemed too sexy. This is supposed to be their first time experiencing anything like this so I kind of saw it as being more awkward and authentic. And I dont really think that Theo was consistent with the character.


Marisa Ferreira I always imagined Brett Dalton (he plays Ward in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D) as Four, and I don't even know why. I didn't really know Theo, just like a lot of people didn't. And for me, it was the right decision choosing someone who is not very famous, because while I was watching I was seeing Four, and if Four was played by a famous actor I would probably feel like I was watching ''someone as Four'', if this makes any sense.
And for me at least, Theo did a very good job. He had a fantastic chemistry with Shailene, and they both work as Tris and Four . Even though I still think he can improve in some things, he was really good and I'm really curious to see him in Insurgent, because in the book at least, Tobias shows a different side of him and I'm curious to see how Theo is going to do it. But overall, in my opinion, he did a really great job.


Kristina Esma wrote: "I totally disagree , Theo James is an amazing actor , He's good , and he made me like Tobias even more :)
I don't know why u all felt that way , but picking him for this role was the most clever t..."


That's not necessarily true. I have built an image of him in my head, but I did see some of the actors that were considered for Four as him (if you know what I mean). So, basically, a lot of them did work for me and it was what I imagined. It's just Theo James wasn't.
Thanks for being respectful in expressing your opinion! c:


Kristina ❄ sʜᴀʜᴅɪᴀ ❄ ʰᵉʳᵉ ᶦ ˢᵗᵃᶰᵈ ᵃᶰᵈ ʰᵉʳᵉ ᶦ ˢᵗᵃʸ ❄ wrote: "I haven't seen the movie, but I dislike Theo James as Four because he was whitewashed. I believe Four was mixed-race in the book..."

I agree with you! I think he is mixed race and not all white. c:


message 20: by Anum (new) - rated it 4 stars

Anum in the book Veronica Roth described Tris as dull but in movie she was pretty and


message 21: by NL (new) - rated it 5 stars

NL I love theo james, probably because he's so fricking hot


Audrey I think he was perfect!


message 23: by [deleted user] (new)

I was fine with Theo James as Four, I had a hard time connecting with Shailene Woodley as Tris.
And yeah it's annoying when movies don't follow the book.
It's funny, they take a popular book(best sellers) and turn it into a movie, but instead of keeping it the same as the book, they change the characters, stories etc. I don't know why they do that, the book already had a following and it was popular for a reason, so why change it? It makes no sense to me.


Marissa I loved Theo James as four, but it's always hard for an actor to step into a role like this one, because everyone has their own visions of how they should look and act, so I don't really think it matters what any of us think, we didn't choose the casting, so I don't find any point to criticize the actors or anything. It's all personal opinion. Plus, since Four is a fictional character there is absolutely no way they would be able to find someone who is an exact clone of him in the book (down to being mixed race, yes i see that) AND someone who is an actor, and an experienced enough one at that.


Hannah Kelly Kristina wrote: "Honestly, I don't like Theo James as Four in the movie Divergent. I feel like I'm the only one with this opinion, so does anyone agree with me or am I alone in this?

Don't worry. I have reasons.
1..."


I loved him. But I'm just a casual movie watcher. I'm not really invested in the series because I haven't read the books.


Mattie I was skeptical at first,but I came to like him.They wanted to make Four more mature(even though he already is)so they moved his age up to 20.I think the script made Four into a robot.Theo definitely acts better.It's the script.I like Theo James as a person.I don't just see him as Four,as others do.I see him as his own person,and I like his personality and the way he looks,even if others don't


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