The Legacy of Divergent
In a world where societal divisions define one's destiny, the Divergent series emerged as a beacon of rebellion and resilience. Set in a futuristic landscape where conformity is the norm, the saga follows the journey of Tris, a 'divergent' soul challenging the status quo. As the franchise gained momentum, fans were captivated by the stellar performances of Shailene Woodley, Miles Teller, and Zoë Kravitz, breathing life into Veronica Roth's best-selling novels.
The Divergent series is based on the best-selling novels by Veronica Roth. The first film, Divergent, was released in 2014 and grossed over $288 million worldwide. The series follows the journey of Tris Prior, a young woman who discovers she is a "divergent," someone who does not fit into any of the five factions that divide society.
Tris and Four preparing for battle in Divergent
The Ascendant Conundrum
Amidst the rising anticipation for the climactic chapter, The Divergent Series: Ascendant faced an unforeseen fate. The decision to transition the concluding film into a TV movie left both fans and cast members in disarray. The abrupt halt to the cinematic closure sparked debates on the viability of the TV adaptation and its alignment with the series' essence.
The Divergent Series: Ascendant was originally planned as the fourth and final film in the franchise. However, in 2016, Lionsgate announced that the film would be released as a TV movie instead. This decision was met with backlash from fans and cast members, who felt that the TV format would not do justice to the story.
Shailene Woodley holds up her hands in Divergent
Box Office Blues
The financial underperformance of The Divergent Series: Allegiant cast a shadow of uncertainty over the franchise's future. With dwindling box office returns and escalating production costs, the transition to television seemed like a strategic pivot. However, the reluctance of the star-studded ensemble to embrace the small screen narrative posed a formidable challenge to the envisioned conclusion.
The Divergent Series: Allegiant, the third film in the franchise, performed poorly at the box office, grossing only $179 million worldwide. This financial underperformance led to speculation that the franchise would be canceled.
Shailene Woodley as Tris training with Theo James as Four in Divergent
The Critical Verdict
While the series garnered a dedicated fan base, critical reception proved to be a double-edged sword. The divergence between audience adoration and critical disapproval exposed the frailty of the franchise's foundation. As negative reviews echoed through the industry, the cast's enthusiasm waned, setting the stage for a premature curtain call.
The Divergent series received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised the performances of the cast and the action sequences, while others criticized the plot and the lack of originality. The critical divide contributed to the franchise's decline in popularity.
Tris and Tobias embrace at the end of Allegiant
A Requiem for Ascendant
The demise of The Divergent Series: Ascendant echoed a broader trend in YA adaptations. From The Mortal Instruments to Percy Jackson, the industry witnessed a wave of cancellations, signaling a shift in audience preferences. While the prospect of a revival lingers in the realm of possibility, the legacy of Divergent remains ensconced in unfinished symphonies and uncharted destinies.
The cancellation of The Divergent Series: Ascendant was a major disappointment for fans of the franchise. It also marked a trend in the industry of YA adaptations being canceled or delayed. The legacy of Divergent remains unfinished, with many unanswered questions and unfulfilled storylines.
The main cast in the Divergent Series Allegiant poster.
