Veronica Roth: Divergent Comic Con Q&A

We loved Veronica Roth’s Divergent, and we’re super excited that Summit Entertainment is now adapting the book for the big screen. Recently, Roth herself appeared at Comic Con to talk about Divergent and the upcoming movie adaptation.

While there, she took some time to chat with us over the phone about all the exciting news.

So you just had your first SDCC press conference … how’d that go?

It was kind of crazy. I went on right after the first Twilight panel, so I was like, I don’t know how I’m gonna follow this act. And then I was also right before the second Twilight panel …  but it was really great. It’s been really fun so far.

They were really just curious about the book and what it’s about and how the movie is going. It was mostly book questions, which is great cause that’s what I’m most comfortable with.

What’s the latest status on the movie?

What happened most recently, they signed the screenwriter – Evan Daugherty– and he just wrote “Snow White & the Huntsman,” which has Kristen Stewart in it. And we have the production company and the studio.

But I don’t think anything’s going to happen next until the script is written.

What do you think will be the biggest challenge writing the screenplay?

Part of it is shrinking something that is book-size, and it’s not a short book, and not cutting all the meat out of it. The challenge will be balancing the visual elements and the more meaningful things, like fear and friendship and camaraderie.

I’m glad I’m not doing it.

Any fantasy casting choices for the characters?

I really am not one of those people who celebrity cast, mostly because I don’t like to get a vague sense of someone’s personality when I’m writing.

I love to see unknown faces in movies, and see what people make of someone I’ve created in my head. I’m open to anyone who brings something to the character.

How’s book 2 coming along??

I’m still working on book 2. I turned in a very very rough draft a few months ago, then got editorial notes. It’s basically like writing it again … and I’m just finishing up that, and then I’ll have a few more rounds of edits.

Anyone who’s eager for it to come out, I’m eager too.

It’s so hard to say anything without spoiling everything. All I can say is, Tris & Four? They’re in there. But things do become more complicated in there.

But no love triangle. Still no love triangle. Love triangles are great, but they’re just not a Tris thing. She’s just so focused — on what what she wants … I don’t think that could happen.

What have been some of the highlights from your book tour & various appearances for DIVERGENT?

I think it’s really the people I’ve met. On book tour, I was with four other authors and they were all amazing and we had a lot of fun together. And seeing people have actually read it [Divergent] and have questions and something to say about it. You see stuff on Twitter, but it’s not the same as hearing it in person. Meeting readers has been awesome. Everytime it just confirms that I’m doing what I want to be doing.

What are you reading right now?

Actually I’m re-reading the fourth Harry Potter book.

Anything you’re excited to geek out over at Comic Con?

Oh my gosh. I don’t even know what’s in there. But I’m sure it’s just a haven for everything I love. There’s definitely going to be someStar Wars and some Harry Potter. I’m sure there will be some Batman, too.

Thanks to Veronica for chatting with us, and Summit Entertainment for arranging the interview!