Veronica Roth talks 'Insurgent'

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Last year's science fiction movie "Divergent" brought in more than $288 million at the box office. The second film in the trilogy, "Insurgent," is about to open.

Chicagoan Veronica Roth wrote the trilogy. "Insurgent" follows the events from the previous film in a post-apocalyptic Chicago.

A war looms between forced population groups or factions. The main character tries to save the people she loves. This time around the novel and film fans will see a few plot differences and more special effects.

"I was a little worried about it because I am the writer and that's my job to be worried. But, when I saw it all put together and how well it works for the new format, it feels like a good strong and complete thing on its own. The characters and the setting are true to the book, it's just a few plot changes really," Roth said.

The last film was shot in Chicago, but Insurgent was not.

"You know my hometown pride was hurt a little, but I understand why. The aerial shots are still Chicago. That's good our city is still there," Roth said.

Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer is in the cast.

"I met Octavia Spencer a couple years before because she wrote a children's book so I saw her at a book conference. She seemed like a warm and delightful person back then so it was a like a little reunion because she was not someone I expected to see again so it was a nice surprise," she said.

Roth is working on another series that may also lend itself nicely to film.

"They're kind of in the vein of "Star Wars," so they are set in space. It's about a young man who unites with someone who is supposed to be his enemy to get revenge. But I am just starting to work on it now," Roth said.

"Insurgent" opens March 20.