'Divergent' Fans Feel 'Betrayed' as Final Film Is Pushed From Theaters to TV
Wow, they really botched the landing on this one. Fans of "The Divergent Series" are feeling factionless at the moment, after news that the final film in the series, "Ascendant," will not be released in theaters as planned. Instead, as Variety reports, Lionsgate wants to wrap up the series with a TV movie, seguing into a standalone TV series set in the same world.
Why? Probably because they miscalculated on the most recent film, "Allegiant." It had a rough time with critics and fans at the box office, possibly because of the decision to split the final book in the series into two films instead of just putting the whole book story in one film. But after "Harry Potter" and "The Hunger Games," studios have been doing that split-the-final-book thing, and in this case it backfired. "Ascendant" was supposed to be the big finish, shooting this summer in Atlanta for a release in theaters next June 2017 (opposite "World War Z 2" and "The Mummy" reboot), but Variety said the box office performance of "Allegiant" made them rethink that idea.
It's not even clear if stars Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Ansel Elgort, and company will return for the "Ascendant" TV movie. So, understandably, fans who have invested in the franchise to date feel disappointed and angry.
Here are some reactions to the news:
I feel betrayed. I've invested time & money into this series & for it to go straight to TV just feels like a cop out. #Divergent#Ascendant
— Lauran (Lor-ANNE) (@1auran) July 21, 2016
They better not be fucking serious about not making the ascendant movie with the original cast of the divergent movies
— lianne ◡̈ (@howcuteharry) July 21, 2016
Me trying not to laugh in front of a divergent fan #RIPdivergentpartypic.twitter.com/dWHcW7oNZb
— Hoeminik (@hoeminik) July 21, 2016
This is very disappointing. Knowing my luck, it will be on a channel I don't get. #Divergent#Ascendanthttps://t.co/vO0xQx9OJo
— Lauran (Lor-ANNE) (@1auran) July 21, 2016
Harry Potter, Twilight and Hunger Games' last books had 2-movie material. Too much happened. But Allegiant didnt, and that's why it failed.
— ayse skywalker (@AllisonArjent) July 21, 2016
Absolutely adored divergent and loved the ending the most and the fact i won't get to see that on the big screen actually breaks my heart
— hafsah (@DlVERGENTSTILES) July 21, 2016
okay if the original cast of divergent isnt even in ascendant, im gonna be so mad i stg
— mik (@mikaelaa_x) July 21, 2016
Okay but what tv channel will be playing the final part of divergent series? If it's not avaliable in the UK I'm gonna be mad
— Jess (@cxnstantlytired) July 21, 2016
Just thinking that I will never have an Ascendant poster???????? i'm mad! @lionsgatemovies@Divergent#MakeAscendantAMoviepic.twitter.com/zgWFDbgRKM
— Cédryk Brassard (@brassard_cedryk) July 21, 2016
now im mad i WILL NOT have 1d and divergent break up all in the same year this is bad for my health
— LILJON (@shaiIeneharry) July 21, 2016
Its just disrespectful for the fans. Im so mad. #makeascendantmovie#divergent@Lionsgate@lionsgatemovies
— #MakeAscendantAMovie (@alexpleasant8) July 20, 2016
Any fans still curious to see how this ends will have to stay tuned for further details on the TV movie and spinoff series ... if they even go ahead with both.
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