The stars of "The Divergent Series: Allegiant" franchise are hoping the third time will continue to be a charm as they celebrated the opening of their latest film at the New York premiere on Monday (March 14).
American actress Shailene Woodley returns as heroine Tris in the young adult sci-fi film and said she is thrilled the series has such a strong following.
"It's always exciting when you work on something that you feel proud of, and then you present it to other people and you see how they react. Ultimately I think we make these movies for selfish reasons for ourselves - just to be actors and artists to be able to express. But when people receive them, there is something very gratifying and we feel very lucky," she said.
Actor Theo James, says having a built in fan base has it's pros and cons.
"You have to make sure you don't get lazy and you have to - you know, make sure you're always questioning the script and questioning the choices that your characters are making. And sometimes that's difficult, but you know it's good. And now it's very familiar and we know each other pretty well so yes - safe bond."
Actor Jeff Daniels, who is new to the franchise, said being part of guaranteed box office hit is wonderful.
"A lot of movies you start out and nobody knows anything about whether this will work or not, whether the story matters, whether there is an audience for it, all of that. So that's all solved, all you have to do is kind of go in and fit yourself into it," said the actor who is currently starring on Broadway.
In the third film of the franchise, Tris, and her friends break out of the compound of Chicago they've lived in all their lives and cross over the wall so she can save her brother Caleb from the death penalty.
However, the outside world is not what the group expected.
Woodley said her character adds to the growing list of strong female roles in film.
"Like you see Halle Berry and Ashley Judd kicking ass back in the day but it's really nice to still see that train rolling and to see that there is more, more and more strong women out there in films."
The movie is packed with action and stunts, which most of the actors performed themselves.
"It's physical and you have to be in shape because you have to kind of - you're working in 100 degree heat and humid in Atlanta and you're running around a lot. But you know, it's also fun," said James.
Actress Naomi Watts said her kids loved playing on set, calling it storytelling at its best.
"I played the head of the Factionless and they make everything out of garbage, other people's garbage basically. So like the windows are made with old bottles and they look like beautiful stained glass windows," she said.
The cast is made up of a bunch of twenty-somethings including Miles Teller, Zoe Kravitz and Ansel Elgort who was celebrating his birthday on the red carpet.
"We're going to watch the movie, that will be fun. We're going to go to the after-party and then I got to get up early for the 'Today Show' tomorrow. I'm working hard, but it's OK. Being 22 and working hard is a good thing," he said.
Watts said there were no oversized egos to be found in the group of young actors.
"They all get along really well, they are really committed to what they do. But, you know, making room for a little fun too, not taking it all too seriously."
The films are based on the trilogy by author Veronica Roth. Like "The Hunger Games", the third book has been split into two parts, with the next film, "Ascendant", set for release in 2017.
"The Divergent Series: Allegiant", already out in several European countries, hits U.S. cinemas on March 18.
