'The Divergent: Allegiant Part 1' is the first half of the two-part final film in the 'Divergent Series'. With the release less than a year away, cast and crew are kept busy filming scenes for the upcoming dystopian science-fiction film adaptation of the 'Divergent Trilogy' novels authored by Veronica Roth. On one particular battle scene, 30 child actors were reportedly put at risk. Several cast members also shared on-set photos revealing main star Shailene Woodley's new look as Tris Prior.
In a report by Deadline.com, during production of a particularly chaotic battle scene on June 17, 2015 in Georgia, 30 child actors - some as young as 4 years old - were handed real steel weapons by prop masters for the filming of a village battle scene. An anonymous witness who was concerned with the children's safety finally spoke up. He said, "Everyone seemed to know it was wrong, but no one was willing to speak up... To me, it seems that saving money - the expense of rubber props - took priority over safety. This particularly upset me because small children were involved."
He eventually called up the proper authorities to address the matter leading to the props men taking away some of the metal weapons and replacing them with rubber replicas. Producers allegedly stayed mum on the matter however the film's safety consultant responded to the witness in an e-mail that said they were grateful the matter was brought to their attention and will be dealt with accordingly. A Lionsgate representative also told Deadline saying, "We take safety issues very seriously, and we are currently investigating this."
According to Bizjournals.com, film crews have become extra vigilant about safety issues especially after a camera assistant, Sarah Jones, was killed by a train in Georgia. The witness on the set of 'The Divergent: Allegiant Part 1' knew Jones and refused to stay quiet about the incident.
In another report by IBTimes, several cast members shared on-set photos from the film on their social media accounts and served as the waiting audience's first sneak peeks into the new movie. Woodley was seen sporting chin-length hair, a totally different look from her past portrayals as Tris. She wore her hair long in the first movie 'Divergent', and got a pixie-cut bob in the second movie 'Insurgent.' Woodley teased that the upcoming sequel might not follow the regular flow of the books and could come up with a surprising twist.
'The Divergent: Allegiant Part 1' is set for release on March 18, 2016. It is the first in the two-part installment for the American science fiction and adventure film based on the Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth. It is directed by Robert Schwentke and stars actors Theo James, Shailene Woodley, Octavia Spencer, and Naomi Watts among others.
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