‘Divergent’ Sequel ‘Insurgent’ to be Written by Brian Duffield of ‘Jane Got a Gun’ Fame

Shailene Woodley and Theo James star in Neil Burger's "Divergent"

Maybe good karma exists in Hollywood after all: "Jane Got a Gun" screenwriter Brian Duffield has been hired to write "Insurgent," the inevitable sequel to Summit Entertainment's "Divergent," TheWrap has learned.

Duffield has endured a career's worth of headaches and heartaches the past couple months as "Jane Got a Gun" has suffered a series of setbacks stemming from director Lynne Ramsey's last-minute "departure" from the project.

From anonymous comments on industry blogs to more Twitter jokes than necessary (mine included!) about last-minute casting switcheroos, it's been easy to rag on the very public behind-the-scenes drama of "Jane Got a Gun," but through all the cringe-worthy headlines, Duffield has been a total professional.

Duffield has had as much patience as any screenwriter these last few weeks. And "Jane Got a Gun" made the Black List so clearly he's talented.

"Insurgent," which will star Shailene Woodley and Theo James, is the second film of a planned trilogy based on Veronica Roth's bestselling YA novel. The studio is releasing "Divergent" on March 21, 2014, the same slot that saw "The Hunger Games" perform like a summer blockbuster.

Kate Winslet co-stars in "Divergent," which Neil Burger is directing from a script by Evan Daugherty and Vanessa Taylor.

"Insurgent" continues the journey of Tris Prior (Woodley) as she risks everything and struggles to harness her incredible power as war looms, sides are chosen and secrets begin to emerge.

Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher are producing through their Red Wagon banner along with Pouya Shahbazian.

Duffield is represented by Gersh and Circle of Confusion.

Deadline broke the news of Duffield's hiring.

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