What happens when a cinematic franchise, once brimming with potential, stumbles at the box office and faces an untimely demise? The "Divergent" series, a young adult dystopian adventure, found itself grappling with precisely this reality, leaving fans and creators alike with a sense of unfinished business.
The fourth film in the "Divergent" saga was envisioned to be a continuation of the story, adapting the latter half of Veronica Roth's novel, "Allegiant." This was planned as a two-part cinematic experience, much like the "Harry Potter," "Twilight," and "Hunger Games" finales before it. The initial strategy was to split Roths final book into two films, with the first part, "Allegiant," released in 2016. However, the financial performance of "Allegiant" fell short of expectations, triggering a series of events that ultimately led to the cancellation of the planned second part, tentatively titled "Ascendant." The original plan was to release "Ascendant" in June 2017.
The decision to split "Allegiant" into two parts mirrored a trend in the young adult adaptation genre, aiming to capitalize on the popularity of the source material. Yet, "Allegiant" Part 1 failed to resonate with audiences as strongly as the studio had hoped. The film's executives, faced with this disappointment, explored alternative avenues to conclude the series. This included the prospect of a television movie, also titled "Ascendant," which was rumored to culminate in the death of Shailene Woodley's character, Tris, and pave the way for a continuation of the story in a television series. However, this plan also faced significant hurdles, ultimately failing to materialize.
The "Divergent" series, originally titled "The Divergent Series," began its cinematic journey with high hopes. The first film introduced audiences to a world where society was divided into factions based on personality traits. As the series progressed, the story delved deeper into the mysteries of this society, exploring themes of identity, conformity, and rebellion. But the narrative direction began to change from the book, creating a rift between the movie and the book lovers.
The cancellation of "Ascendant" left numerous plot threads unresolved and many questions unanswered. The unmade film left many wondering about the direction of Tris and Four's relationship, and how the story would have resolved the conflict within the dystopian world. The film adaptation of "Allegiant" covered roughly half of Veronica Roth's book, leaving a significant portion of the narrative unexplored on the big screen. The film's production values and performances were subject to criticism, which contributed to its box office struggles. The film received generally negative reviews from critics, who criticized the lack of originality, character development, and the decision to drastically alter the source material.
The fate of "Ascendant" became a focal point for discussion among fans, many of whom took to online forums and social media to voice their opinions. Users of the r/divergent subreddit, for example, shared their critiques of the movie adaptations and expressed their disappointment over the cancellation of the final installment. They pointed out that the movie's alterations, omissions, and general quality were far inferior to the source material. These debates highlighted the passion of the fanbase and their investment in the "Divergent" universe.
The shift from a big-screen finale to a television movie was indicative of the series' waning popularity. The underperformance of "Allegiant" at the box office, combined with a lack of interest from the original cast, proved to be insurmountable obstacles. The author, Veronica Roth, has mentioned that she felt the series was complete despite part two of the "Allegiant" story never making it to the big screen, but the decision of the studio didn't align with this thinking. This sentiment underscores the complex interplay between creative vision, financial realities, and audience reception in the world of filmmaking.
The second half of "Allegiant" was not brought to the big screen, but the first part of the film included many aspects of the second part, which led the fans to miss the second part.
The decision to cancel "Ascendant" and the evolution of the "Divergent" series is a case study in the challenges of adapting novels for the screen. The film adaptations had to address the inherent narrative of the books, as well as navigate the complexities of studio pressures and audience expectations. In the end, the cancellation of "Ascendant" serves as a reminder that not all stories make it to their intended conclusion, leaving fans with unanswered questions and a sense of what could have been.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Original Title | "The Divergent Series: Ascendant" |
| Planned Release Date | June 2017 (initially) |
| Intended Story | Adapt the second half of Veronica Roth's "Allegiant" |
| Production Company | Lionsgate |
| Reasons for Cancellation | Low Box Office Performance of "Allegiant," Lack of cast interest |
| Planned Alternative | TV movie on Starz (later abandoned) |
| Rumored Plot Points | Death of Tris (Shailene Woodley's character) |
| Director | Lee Toland Krieger (planned) |
| Writer | Adam Cozad (planned) |
The cancellation of the film also had implications for the creative team involved. Robert Schwentke, the director of "Allegiant," had only signed on for two films and left the franchise, creating a void in the production process. The movie was initially set to be directed by Lee Toland Krieger and written by Legend of Tarzan screenwriter, Adam Cozad, which later failed.
The fate of the "Divergent" series highlights the financial risks inherent in the film industry. While splitting a book into multiple movies can be a successful strategy, as evidenced by franchises such as "Harry Potter" and "The Hunger Games," it can also backfire if the initial installment doesn't perform well. The box office returns for "Allegiant" were not sufficient to warrant a sequel, leading to the cancellation of "Ascendant" and the end of the film franchise. The shooting for "Ascendant" never began.
The "Divergent" series faced criticism from audiences and reviewers. In this case, the lack of a satisfying conclusion can be attributed to the film's financial disappointments. The planned series' finale served as a significant misstep. Some critics cited poor character development, changes in the script, and lack of originality. These failures and the consequent low box office numbers were primary reasons for the film's abandonment.
As the "Divergent" franchise met its unexpected end, the question of whether the story was complete emerged. Author Veronica Roth has stated that she feels the story is complete despite part two of the "Allegiant" story not being made into a film. However, the fact remains that the film adaptation of "Allegiant" did not reach its planned conclusion, leaving fans with an incomplete narrative. Many changes from the book, omissions of critical plot points, and an overall poor quality led fans to express dissatisfaction with the film adaptation. The absence of the final film has prompted discussions, with many wondering what could have been. With the film production never starting, this remains the case.
The cancellation of "Ascendant" is a reminder of the complex dynamics that shape the world of filmmaking. It highlights the importance of balancing creative vision with financial realities and the impact of audience reception on the fate of a franchise.
