Lanie
Looks like Lionsgate are removing the last in the “Divergent” series off their release schedule and redeveloping it as a telemovie.
According to Variety, the lackluster performance of “Allegiant” last year has the studio reconsidering putting the final instalment in the four-movie series in theaters.
According to latter, “The Divergent Series : Ascendant” might go straight to TV with Starz (which Lionsgate recently acquired).
Deadline add that they hear the film might get a VOD/theatrical launch via Lionsgate Premiere, so clearly the telemovie idea isn’t set in stone yet. But if “Ascendant” goes to Starz, expect it to have a new cast – since the price tags of Shailene Woodley, Miles Teller & so on will be out of range for Starz. That telefilm would then segue into a standalone television series set in the same post-apocalyptic world.
Lee Toland Krieger (“Age of Adaline”) had been tapped to direct the film but no word if he’ll remain attached if the film goes straight to telly.
“Divergent” grossed $151M domestically and $288.9M worldwide and “Insurgent” fared near just as well, collecting $130.1M and $273.2M worldwide. But “Allegiant”, released in March, made only $66.2M and $179.2M. It’s been a steady decline for the once-promising YA franchise.
The disappointing performance of “Allegiant” and the last “Hunger Games” (“Mockingjay Part 2”), and the complete failure of YA startups “The 5th Wave”, “I Am Number Four”, “The Mortal Instruments” and “The Host”, suggest that the once-trendy YA movie franchise isn’t as big as it once was. The subgenre might even be over.
