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“Divergent” has opened with a bang.
The highly anticipated feature earned a strong $4.9 million from late-night shows on Thursday night in the US.
“We’re off to a great start with strong numbers from all regions of the country, urban, suburban and rural alike,” said Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer. “We’re confident that Divergent is on its way to becoming another important franchise for us, and we have just greenlit the second film, ‘Insurgent.’”
Predictions indicate that “Divergent” could make upwards of $60 million across its opening weekend, putting it up there with the $69 mil made by “Twilight” when it opened in 2008.
Nevertheless, “Divergent” remains far from the heights reached by its young adult dystopian competitor “The Hunger Games”, which boasted a $152 million opening in 2012.
Based on the first book in Veronica Roth’s best selling trilogy, “Divergent” follows Tris (Shailene Woodly), a 16-year-old girl living in a world where one is expected to fit into one of five societal factions. However Tris does not.
The second instalment, based on Roth’s second book “Insurgent”, will begin production in May with a new director, Robert Schwentke, helming. Schwentke has taken over from “Divergent” director Neil Burger.
“Insurgent” has been dated for a March 20, 2015 release, while the third instalment, “Allegiant”, is due for March 18, 2016.
