Exclusive Pics and Interview: Newcomer Keiynan Lonsdale Talks “The Divergent Series: Insurgent“Posted by Wilson Morales
February 25, 2015
On March 20, 2015, Summit Entertainment will release The Divergent Series: Insurgent, the highly anticipated sequel in the DIVERGENT series, in theaters in 3D and 2D.
The film stars Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Ansel Elgort, Kate Winslet, Jai Courtney, Miles Teller, Zoe Kravitz, Naomi Watts, Maggie Q, Ray Stevenson, Suki Waterhouse, Octavia Spencer, Mekhi Phifer, Daniel Dae Kim, Jonny Weston, Emjay Anthony, Rosa Salazar, Ben Lamb, Keiynan Lonsdale, and Jason Lee Erickson.
The Divergent Series: Insurgent raises the stakes for Tris as she searches for allies and answers in the ruins of a futuristic Chicago. Tris (Woodley) and Four (James) are now fugitives on the run, hunted by Jeanine (Winslet), the leader of the power-hungry Erudite elite. Racing against time, they must find out what Tris’s family sacrificed their lives to protect, and why the Erudite leaders will do anything to stop them. Haunted by her past choices but desperate to protect the ones she loves, Tris, with Four at her side, faces one impossible challenge after another as they unlock the truth about the past and ultimately the future of their world.
Being introduced to American audiences as he makes his US feature debut as Uriah is Australian singer-dancer-actor Keiynan Lonsdale; who prior to this film, his only biggest exposure was appearing as a series regular in the award-winning, Australian television series Dance Academy from 2012-13.
Besides performing in various arts from high school to the series, Lonsdale also hosted MTV News for two years and is ready to make his mark to a new audience.
Uriah is a Dauntless-born initiate who is very close with Marlene (Waterhouse) and Lynn (Salazar). He also befriends Tris (Woodley) as the stakes climb higher in the second and third installments. Although Uriah appears in the first book of the franchise, he was omitted in the first film.
Blackfilm.com exclusively spoke with Lonsdale about his role and working on his first big film.
Can you talk about the character that you are playing and if there’s any between what’s on screen than what was written in the book?
Keiynan Lonsdale: Well, I play Uriah and he’s part of the Dauntless faction. He’s also a Divergent, which means he has traits from other factions. He’s not just one thing. He’s more than just being the cool guy. The difference between how he comes across in the book and how he’s portrayed in the film is that he’s more serious. He still has that comedic element in him and that charm, but the world that they are in is chaotic. He’s thinking more about life more so than what jokes to tell next.
How did you land the role?
KL: I’ve been coming out to LA for the past couple of years just doing auditions and I went back to Australia because I had not received anything. I was putting myself on tape and sending videos out. They saw my tape and a month later, they asked me to audition again for the director on Skype, which I did. A few days later, I got the role. So, it was pretty unexpected for me. It’s just been a whirlwind of new things and it’s been crazy in the best way.
How interesting that you’re not the only Australian in the film? There’s Jai Courtney and Naomi Watts, who also is a new addition to the franchise.
KL: It’s crazy. It’s cool that most of the cast are coming from different places in their careers. For me, I feel like such a newcomer to be in a film with two other Australians who have too much under their belt. I just watched Naomi in “Birdman” and I can’t believe I’m now in the same film. It’s a really great learning experience.
Most of Uriah’s role centers on his friendship with Tris. Can you talk about working with Shailene (Woodley)?
KL: Working with Shailene was amazing. In my first scene with her, we shot it in six days, and at first I was intimidated because she’s Shailene Woodley, As a person, she’s very comfortable with herself that it made me comfortable after a while. That was really cool. I learned from her on and off set in terms of the work ethic and the work itself. I felt that when she does a scene, everyone is just watching and are captivated by what she’s doing.
Have you read the books?
KL: Yes. I read the books. As soon as I got the role, I had to read the books.
What was the production like in Atlanta when you shot the film?
KL: It was surprisingly pretty relaxed. That was the one shock that I had. Coming from Australia, I hadn’t really done that much work in the US and to step in a role with such a massive cast was surprisingly easy-going. Everyone was really chilled out and work hard and were funny. It was exciting to wake up and go to work everyday.
What’s good about your role and the other roles in the films is that all are colorblind.
KL: Exactly and that’s so cool. It’s awesome that the film is so multi-cultural. That’s also something that I want to do. To get a role because I got the role and not because they needed to fill a certain quota. I want to play a character, a human being rather than playing ethnicity.
What’s the feeling when you see that you are one of the posters for the film?
KL: It’s weird to see that. It makes the whole experience feel real. I guess when you are filming it, you are just doing your job and you can’t really get swept away in anything but it’s finished and you start seeing all the things being edited together and the trailers and the posters, it becomes real. It’s exciting.
I also read that you are a singer as well and that you released a single last year. How’s your music career going?
KL: I used to be in such a rush to do that stuff and I think the day I released that song, and it wasn’t supposed to be a big thing, I figured I would give to people that want to hear it. I think the day after I released it is when I found out I got the role of Uriah in “Insurgent,” my whole mind had to do this massive switch. I didn’t want to forget about the music but I had to figure out my priorities. At the moment, I’m still writing and I have my home little studio and stuff and I work on that. I’m always trying to improve myself but I’m not in a rush to become an artist. I want to know when I’m ready and really passionate about this kind of music and I’m in the right mode. I’m just focused on what I love right now, which is the acting and moving forward.
As you mentioned before, you went back home when things weren’t falling into place for you. How tough is it just vying for an opportunity?
KL: Well, my first time out here, I hated it. Not because I wasn’t getting anything, but I was putting so much pressure on myself and I think all of my friends put so much pressure on themselves that it darkens you. The next time I tried again, I still didn’t get anything, but I enjoyed the audition process. I like a little competition. That’s the thing. There are plenty of roles for African-American characters and there are so many roles in general where there are so many people that it doesn’t matter about color. We’re all just going out for the roles and that’s what I love. It’s fun.
When you’re not going out for work, what do you do in your spare time?
KL: I’m always working on small videos and what keeps me grounded is dancing. I go to a bunch of dance classes whenever I’m in LA. That’s what I’ve known since I was four years old. I just go with my friends and with the classes that I get, I dance two or three times a week, if I can. It depends on what’s going on with work and all that stuff.
Whether you have seen the first film, “Divergent,” or you haven’t, what’s a good reason to see “Insurgent”?
KL: I think it’s simple. If you look at the trailer, it will make you want to see the film. It’s got an all-star cast, not including myself, from Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Kate Winslet, Naomi Watts and so many ridiculous actors in the film, that you know it’s going to be an amazing movie. I also think the story in the film and the meaning behind it is an empowering theme is another reason to see the film.
Tickets for THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT are now on sale! Find show times & BUY TICKETS HERE: https://www.thedivergentseries.com/#tickets
