‘The Divergent Series: Ascendant’ UPDATE: Small Television Release Will Not Feature Shailene Woodley and Theo James? [VIDEO]; Author Veronica Roth Reacts
ByA lot of people were disappointed when it was announced that the final installment of "The Divergent Series," titled as "Ascendant," is not going to be released in theaters. Instead, it is going to be released as a TV movie with a possible series in the future.
Actress Shailene Woodley played the lead role as Beatrice Prior in the last three installments of "The Divergent Series." It is not yet clear whether she will join the cast in the television release of the fourth installment of the franchise.
According to sources close to the actress, she's a bit hesitant in agreeing to do a TV movie. Other casts of the series has yet to be confirmed.
According to Variety, the first two installment of the franchise was a hit but the third installment "Allegiant" was quite a disappointment to the studio. The original plan was to release the fourth installment of "The Divergent Series" by June 2017, but because of the poor performance of the third installment of the series, Lionsgate decided that it is best to end the series in the small screen.
As for author Veronica Roth, she released a statement on the issue. She pointed out that the decision to make the final book into a two-part film was not hers. She insisted that she's just like the rest of us - awaiting the final decision from Lionsgate. She also expressed that authors usually do not have creative control in adaptations of their work.
Roth also mentioned in her statement that Lionsgate do listen to her suggestions and feedback, but still, at the end of the day, it is still their decision that will prevail. She only hope that whatever they've decided on, it will be for the best for the cast and the story as well.