{"id":38885,"date":"2016-07-21T10:44:43","date_gmt":"2016-07-21T14:44:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.filmbuffonline.com\/FBOLNewsreel\/wordpress\/?p=38885"},"modified":"2016-07-21T10:44:43","modified_gmt":"2016-07-21T14:44:43","slug":"divergent-series-finale-getting-dumped-tv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.filmbuffonline.com\/FBOLNewsreel\/wordpress\/2016\/07\/21\/divergent-series-finale-getting-dumped-tv\/","title":{"rendered":"DIVERGENT SERIES Finale Getting Dumped To TV?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Divergent\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Lionsgate has not had the success that they had hoped for with their adaptation of the Divergent<\/strong> Young Adult dystopian future novel series. The Shailene Woodley-starring series has seen decreasing box office returns since it debuted in 2014 and it appears as if the studio is thinking of a cost-saving measure to wrap up the main franchise while setting up a spinoff as well.<\/p>\n

According to reports that have been surfacing in the past few hours, Lionsgate may demote the final installment of the series, The Divergent Series: Ascendant<\/strong>, from a theatrical feature to a TV movie which could also serve as the launching point for a television series spinoff. The telemovie could air on the cable outlet Starz, which Lionsgate just acquired last month for $4.4 billion last month. Another option could be Lionsgate Premiere, the speciality division of the studio that releases films via streaming and video on demand outlets.<\/p>\n

Predictably, Lionsgate has not commented on these rumors, and Ascendant<\/strong> still holds it 2017 release date on the studio’s calendar for now.<\/p>\n

The Hollywood Reporter<\/a> is stating that it is unclear if Woodley and co-stars Miles Teller and Ansel Elgort will participate in a TV version of the franchise’s final chapter. The Reporter’s sources state that while Woodley’s representatives have been approached, other cast members have not.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey haven\u2019t come to us to discuss deals, but if they think they can skimp on actors’ options, they can think again,\u201d said the rep of one of the co-stars.<\/p>\n

Agents say they expect very serious negotiations for their clients. But some feel it would set a dangerous precedent if actors simply go along with a move from film to TV. Sources say Lionsgate had an option for all of the main talent for the fourth and final film, but it had a theatrical requirement. This new arrangement would involve complete renegotiations of their contracts.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Lionsgate has been struggling to find a new tentpole franchise now that The Hunger Games<\/strong> series has wound up. As of now, the studio has its eyes on their Power Rangers<\/strong> reboot scheduled for next March to pick up the franchise baton for them. Currently the studio has 12 movies set for release this year, with a majority of them budgeted lower than what Lionsgate has been willing to spend in the past.<\/p>\n

The first film in the franchise premiered in 2014 and grossed $151 million domestically with another $288.9 million globally. The series’ fortunes began to slide with the second installment, Insurgent<\/strong>, the following year, which grossed $130.1 million domestically and $273.2 million worldwide. This past March, the third installment, Allegiant, grossed an underwhelming $66.2 million at the US box office and just $179.2 million internationally.<\/p>\n

I have to say that I am a bit surprised by this news, in that when a franchise starts to putter out, a studio is pretty quick to cut its losses and run. A number of franchises that started out with the intention of bringing a book series to the big screen have failed financially, leaving audiences who preferred to get the story cinematically without an ending. So I have to give Lionsgates some credit for not leaving fans in the lurch.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As the adaption of the YA book series has been seeing declining business at the box office, the studio scrambles for an alternative way to wrap it up.<\/div>\n

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