Before "Insurgent" makes its way to the big screen, fans will first get to see a glimpse of it in virtual reality. Lionsgate and Samsung are teaming up to bring fans inside Tris and Four's world with a special fully-immersive, 360-degree narrative experience they can view only through the Oculus-powered Gear VR headset.
The project called "Insurgent – Shatter Reality" is a four-minute visual masterpiece where fans become "Divergent" members captured by Jeanine Matthews (Kate Winslet) and her "Erudite" faction. As fans wear the gear, they will go through multiple mental simulations that will determine the "full extent of their divergence."
"Virtual reality elevates the world of Divergent to a whole new level by creating a uniquely exciting and immersive experience for our fans," Lionsgate Chief Marketing Officer Tim Palen said, as quoted by PR News Wire.
It is also one way for the company to strengthen its ties with leading tech companies like Samsung as it declares to "expand the worlds of [its] franchises and extend [its] storytelling in exciting new directions."
Participants will feel "intensely gripping and realistic fearscapes" as they undergo experiments on serums, which, as Lionsgate and Samsung put it, will be "transporting them from the frightening heights of a crumbling Chicago skyscraper to the intimidating challenge of a massive, fast-approaching locomotive."
"Insurgent – Shatter Reality" will be on tour starting Feb. 27 in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Austin and San Francisco before it is brought to all platforms and app stores. It will also kick off in the Samsung's Milk VR service until March 1. Fans outside of the aforementioned locations can visit any Best Buy store in the U.S. on March 7 and 8 to try it out.
Meanwhile, the world premiere of "Insurgent" will be happening in London on March 11. Theo James, the actor who plays Four in the film series adapted from Veronica Roth's novels, is sure to attend. However, it is unclear whether Shailene Woodley and the rest of the cast, namely Ansel Elgort, Ashley Judd, Naomi Watts, Octavia Spencer and Kate Winslet, would be walking the red carpet there, too.
"Insurgent" is set to hit the big screen on March 20.
