Theo James Joked That Viagra Powered His and Shailene Woodley’s Chemistry

Theo James has quite a few acting projects on the horizon. While he opted out of reprising his role as Sidney Parker in Sanditon Season 2, he’ll soon be introducing his fans to new characters. The actor has the starring role of Henry de Tamble in the upcoming HBO series, The Time Traveler’s Wife. Furthermore, it was recently announced that he was joining the ensemble cast of The White Lotus Season 2. But despite his many roles, the actor is still best known by many for his part in the Divergent movies.

Theo James portrayed Four in the ‘Divergent’ movies

In the Divergent movies, James portrayed the role of Tobias “Four” Eaton. When the audience is first introduced to him, he seems to be a typical Dauntless soldier. However, viewers realize that he is divergent as the story progresses. Eventually, he forms a strong bond with the lead character, Beatrice “Tris” Prior, and the pair enter into a romantic relationship.

The ‘Divergent’ stars had natural chemistry with one another

Part of what made Four and Tris’ relationship believable was the chemistry between James and his scene partner, Shailene Woodley. The pair were able to connect due to the respect that they each had for the craft of acting. Because they were working together and promoting the Divergent movies for a few years, they also became friends over time. This friendship also supported the natural rapport that they had with one another.

James joked that he used Viagra to help create chemistry with Shailene Woodley

Still, some people wonder how James and Woodley were able to create and sustain new chemistry for their characters in each film. When Cinemovie questioned the Downton Abbey alum about how he was able to do this, he gave a pretty hilarious answer. The actor joked that he used a drug that helps combat erectile dysfunction.

“Viagra essentially,” James said humorously before giving an honest answer. “No you definitely have to work on it. You need to make sure you’re questioning the decision the characters make and the script and do that all the time–and question how these two characters interact.”

Woodley took a more instinctual approach to her work in the ‘Divergent’ movies

But while James took a more intellectual approach to maintain Tris and Four’s chemistry in the Divergent movies, Woodley had a more instinctual approach. When asked how she managed it, the Endings, Beginnings actor explained that it was more of an instinctual experience for her. Once she was back on set, it was easy for her to feel into it.

“It literally takes nothing,” Woodley explained. “Nothing but being on set, wearing the clothes, seeing Theo and having the crew all there. You just sort of instantly fall back into it. Now I feel like I know her so well, it’s more about figuring out the story and dynamic of the plotline more so than Tris’s inner workings.”

Clearly, James and Woodley had different ways of approaching the chemistry between their characters in the Divergent movies. However, the actors seemed to have fared pretty well. Unfortunately, the series ended before fans could see the end of Tris and Four’s love story, but the actors gave viewers a lot to chew on in the first three films.