January 25, 2013 - 17:27 AMT
Kate Winslet poised to star in “Divergent” novel adaptation

Six-time Oscar nominee and Oscar-winner Kate Winslet is negotiating for a role in Divergent, the adaptation of the young adult novel from author Veronica Roth, Collider said.

Directed by Neil Burger (Limitless), Divergent is a dystopian tale that stars Shailene Woodley (The Descendants) as a sixteen-year-old girl who is forced to compete in a ritual that divides her family and just so happens to fall in love with a frustrating young man along the way. This would mark the first franchise starter for Winslet as Summit is planning a trilogy, but it is still unknown which part she would play. Divergent is set to open March 21, 2014.

Variety reports that Winslet is nearing a deal for Divergent, but any details beyond that are not available. She’ll next be seen in the comedy anthology Movie 43 which opens this weekend and later this year in Labor Day. Divergent is still searching for its male lead opposite Woodley, having tested Lucas Till (X-Men: First Class), Alex Pettyfer (Magic Mike) and Jeremy Irvine (War Horse) among others. Variety also reports that the studio may aim for an older star (those tested have been in their early twenties) after not finding a suitable match in the last go-round.