The Franchise That Refuses to Die…
The Divergent Series is the forgotten blockbuster franchise but it also the one that will not die. Some struggling franchises are allowed to kneel over and die, see Sony’s Amazing Spider-Man franchise, others, like The Divergent Series, continue to breathe even when we’re unsure anyone wants it to. Shailene Woodley, Miles Teller, and Jeff Daniels are considerable talents but the series of films, adapted from Veronica Roth’s novels, have failed simply because they have not been good. No critical analysis needed here. However, the franchise is not dead yet. Previously, rumours indicated that Ascendant, the second part of the adaptation of the final book, would be a TV movie but now new details have emerged.
The transition from big screen to small screen will undoubtedly bring complications, such a move is unprecedented, and it is impossible to envision the actors and actresses involved being pleased with the move to TV. This could mean recasting as Lionsgate is not willing to spend big on the franchise anymore.
Furthermore, fans who have read the novels will know the series ends on a controversial note. This could be a chance for all involved to turn around the franchise while correcting the series’ ending. Rumours are that Ascendant will now be a television season consisting of 10-13 episodes, which upon their conclusion could lead to, potentially, more seasons passed the point of the series’ novelization.
There are two ways to look at this: one, Hollywood executives never let anything really die, or two, this move could really reinvigorate The Divergent Series. A move to the small screen will bring an adjusted budget but it could lead to stronger focus on the narrative. Plenty of adaptations have been flush with cash and still flopped, The Divergent Series is an example of this. Successful source material will only take you so far as adaptations need to carry their own weight. Hopefully the unprecedented events unfolding around this floundering film franchise will somehow work out for the best for all involved.
