Theo James Interview: Allegiant

Theo James in, Allegiant

Theo James has achieved heart-throb status since he began playing Tobias Eaton, a.k.a "Four," member of the Dauntless faction in the Divergent series movies. Although the 31-year old actor prefers his privacy, he says he doesn't mind the attention as long as it doesn't get in the way of his work.

We first took notice of James from a small role in Downton Abbey and immediately catapulted to fame as a leading man in the young-adult action series that has grossed almost $600 million in two films. Allegiant – the last of the three Divergent books by author Veronica Roth has been split into two films with the final instalment hitting theatres in 2017.

In the first half of Allegiant, Tris (Shailene Woodley) and her fellow divergents must look beyond the city to seek safety and freedom. Tris must escape with Four and go beyond the wall enclosing Chicago. For the first time ever, they leave the only city and family they have ever known in order to find a peaceful solution for their embroiled city. Once outside, old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless with the revelation of shocking new truths. They discover, and are embraced by, The Bureau, a gleaming city run by a seemingly benevolent dictator (Jeff Daniels) who has an almost Big Brother-like fascination with events back in Chicago. Tris and Four must quickly decide who they can trust as a ruthless battle ignites beyond the walls of Chicago that threatens humanity. In order to survive, Tris will be forced to make impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice and love.

Theo james, Ansel Elgort and Shailene Woodley

James is starting to look at life beyond the Divergent and will star alongside Amber Heard, Billy Bob Thornton and Jim Sturgess in the film adaptation of London Fields, and in the indie drama Franny, alongside Richard Gere and Dakota Fanning. We will also see him reprise his character David in the fifth Underworld film, this time as the film's lead.

I spoke with Theo James via satellite from London, U.K. He just returned from Morocco where he’s filming his next film, Backstabbing For Beginners with Ben Kingsley. We spoke about the new found tension between Four and Tris, why he loves working opposite Shailene Woodley and the biggest leap of faith he has had to take.

Allegiant hits theatres nationwide on Friday March 18th