Actors Jim Carrey (L) and Jeff Daniels arrive in a van decorated as a dog at the world premiere of the film "Dumb and Dumber To" in Los Angeles, November 3, 2014.
IN PHOTO: Actors Jim Carrey (L) and Jeff Daniels arrive in a van decorated as a dog at the world premiere of the film "Dumb and Dumber To" in Los Angeles, November 3, 2014. Reuterse/Danny Moloshok

In final negotiations to join Shailene Woodley in the upcoming ‘Divergent’ film series, Jeff Daniels is close to joining the “Allegiant: Part 1” ensemble cast as Tris’ archenemy. To be directed by Robert Schwentke, the third installment of the “Divergent” YA franchise is set to begin its production in May with producers Doug Wick, Lucy Fisher and Pouya Shahbazian.

Set to play the role of generic researcher David in “The Divergent Series: Allegiant” two-part finale, “The Newsroom” star’s character is the leader of the Bureau of Genetic Welfare, an agency behind the creation of the societies that Tris was living in. Together with her friends she will soon discover that the “creation of the societies had more nefarious purpose.”

Based on the book, David is the Tris’ nemesis who will be an important character for the next two installments of the franchise which is set to premiere on March 18, 2016 (Part 1) and March 24, 2017 (Part 2). David’s division is the one responsible for the genetically damaged and genetically pure experiments as being the head of the bureau.

“At the conclusion of “The Divergent Series: Insurgent,” Tris (Shailene Woodley), Four (Theo James) and the rest of the inhabitants of the walled-in former Chicago learned that they were part of a massive genetic experiment, isolated for generations to try and weed out the worst parts of human tendencies,” according to MTV. “Those demonized Divergents, like Tris, it turned out, were a sign that the experiment had succeeded.”

Based on the report, Daniels’ big bad role was offered to Aaron Eckhart but there is no further news about the actor’s involvement in the “Divergent” franchise series.

Lead actor Theo James also revealed that the upcoming instalment is “pretty similar” to the book as the film adaptation will keep the vital scenes of the popular book series. Compare to “Insurgent,” James admitted that they more time to tell the story as the book will be divided into two movies which gives the director more freedom to explore other key elements.

“Allegiant: Part 1” also stars Miles Teller, Ansel Elgort, Naomi Watts, Kristin McKenzie and Marisol Correa. Octavia Spencer is set to reprise her role as Johanna Reyes, Zoe Kravitz as Christina and Ray Stevenson as Marcus Eaton.

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