AceShowbiz -

Jeff Daniels is in final negotiations to join the cast of Lionsgate's "Divergent" franchise. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Daniels will take a crucial role in the two-part movie, "Allegiant - Part 1" and "Allegiant - Part 2".

Daniels will play David, the leader of the Board of Genetic Welfare, the governing body that created the various factions. The actor will appear in the final installment of the adventure movie franchise alongside the leading stars, Shailene Woodley who portrays Tris, Theo James who stars as Four, Ansel Elgort who plays Caleb Prior and Miles Teller who portrays Peter.

The film is based on the third book in Veronica Roth's best-selling "Divergent" trilogy. Robert Schwentke will return to direct while Doug Wick, Lucy Fisher and Pouya Shahbazian will produce the movie. "Allegiant - Part 1" is targetted for a release on March 18, 2016 with the second part following on March 24, 2017.

Another project which includes Daniels in the cast is Ridley Scott's science fiction "The Martian". He stars in the film alongside Matt Damon, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sean Bean, Kate Mara, Sebastian Stan, Michael Pena, Jessica Chastain and Mackenzie Davis.