A Variety exclusive reveals the future of the futuristic Divergent film franchise. Rather than releasing the fourth and final film of the series in cinemas, Lionsgate has decided to opt for a small screen release instead. The film, The Divergent Series: Ascendant will be made a TV-movie, in preparation for a follow up TV show.
The third film in the franchise, Allegiant, released earlier this year in March, opened to disappointing figures: a mere $29 million — almost a fifty percent drop from 2015’s Insurgent, the second film.
The studio’s television group will be in charge of the production, though it is yet unclear whether the stars of the franchise will return to the proposed TV-movie. Shailene Woodley, Theo James, and Ansel Elgort are the rising stars of the franchise, and a TV-movie seems a bit of a step back for them. However Lee Toland Krieger (“Age of Adaline”) will allegedly direct Ascendant.
The plan seems at this moment to finalise a storyline which will allow the introduction of a new cast for the television show, though it is yet unconfirmed whether it’ll come to our screens via traditional means, or streaming service. Sources say the studio has not yet pitched the idea to any networks.
Ascendant was scheduled for a July 2017 release, but not any more! We’ll keep you updated!
