Update: Shailene Woodley Passes on "The Divergent Series: Ascendant" TV-Movie

[JamesG]

Divergent Film Franchise to Conclude as TV-Movie, Followed by Series
by Ryan Schwartz
July 20, 2016


In what can only be described as a surprising turn of events, Lionsgate has opted to skip a theatrical release of its final Divergent film, and instead release it as a TV-movie — before launching a small-screen spin-off series.

As first reported by our sister site Variety, the decision comes after disappointing box office results/critical reaction for the third installment of the franchise, Allegiant, which opened to a lackluster $29 million in March — a 44 percent drop from 2015 release Insurgent.

Though negotiations are still ongoing, Lionsgate intends to use the fourth film, Ascendant, as a means to launch a standalone TV series that would focus on a new set of characters in the Divergent universe.



It is unclear whether film stars Shailene Woodley, Theo James and Ansel Elgort will appear in Ascendant following this development.

Principal photography was originally intended to begin this summer with an eye on a June 2017 release, but has since been delayed following Allegiant‘s poor performance.

http://tvline.com/2016/07/20/diverge...pinoff-series/

[JamesG]

Shailene Woodley Surprised By News That Ascendant Might Become TV Movie – Comic-Con
by Anthony D'Alessandro
July 21, 2016


In talking to the press today about Snowden, Shailene Woodley addressed the latest headlines about Lionsgate’s Divergent Series: Ascendant potentially skipping a theatrical release and being made into a TV movie, particularly after the last film Divergent Series: Allegiant stumbled at the box office, making $66M stateside.

“Honestly, I was on a plane when all that happened and I landed, and I’m like Whoa, what’s going on?!” In regards to whether she’d be part of the new incarnation of Divergent as dystopian future teen rebel Tris, Woodley wouldn’t say. It’s all news to her.

“I need to talk and find out what the details are,” said Woodley about Lionsgate’s plans for the conclusion of the feature adaptation of the Veronica Roth series.

http://deadline.com/2016/07/shailene...on-1201789917/

[irehtman]

Will Ascendant be released in DVD afterwards?

[JamesG]

Shailene Woodley Nixes Divergent Films' TV-Movie Conclusion: "I Didn't Sign Up to Be in a TV Show"
by Matt Webb Mitovich
September 8, 2016


Putting the “dis” in dystopian, Shailene Woodley is bearish on reprising her role as Tris for the Divergent film franchise’s fourth and final entry, Ascendant, which in the wake of waning box office numbers is being produced as a TV-movie, and to set up a possible spinoff TV series.

Woodley was caught off guard by and had to read July’s original reports of the downgrade in the press. Now having had time to process the news, she told Screen Rant (during her rounds of Snowden press), “I didn’t sign up to be in a television show. Out of respect to the studio and everyone in involved, they may have changed their mind and may be doing something different, but I’m not necessarily interested in doing a television show.”





The Golden Globe nominee and seven-time Teen Choice Award winner echoed the skepticism of Divergent costar Miles Teller.

He told The Hollywood Reporter last month, “We all signed on for Ascendant in hopes that it’d be released in theaters,’ whereas reconfiguring it as a lower-budgeted TV project presents a different set of circumstances.”

http://tvline.com/2016/09/08/shailen...vie-ascendant/

[JamesG]

Shailene Woodley Clarifies Comments about Divergent Finale
by Oliver Gettell
9/13/16


Divergent star Shailene Woodley has walked back recent comments that indicated she’s not interested in returning for the finale of the sci-fi franchise after it was reconceived from a theatrical film to a TV project.

During an interview on the "Today" show Monday, Woodley was asked point blank if she wanted to participate in a fourth Divergent installment, which most recently carried the title Ascendant.



“Well, I mean, if it’s a movie,” the actress said with a laugh.

She added, “They haven’t finalized any decisions, so it’s actually a moot point to talk about it now, out of respect to Lionsgate and everyone involved. I’m not exactly sure where they stand, so we are kind of all in a limbo waiting game.”





While she remained noncommittal about making the leap to the small screen, Woodley said, “I signed up to tell the whole story of Tris and I would love to be able to do that. Nothing would make me happier.”

Lionsgate did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Woodley’s remarks to "Today".

http://www.ew.com/article/2016/09/12...vergent-finale

[Tubehead]

i don't under stand why the movie didn't do that well!! its my favorite out of the other divergent movies!! i also roecmmend the maze runner!!

[JamesG]

Shailene Woodley is Officially Passing on the Divergent TV Movie
by Paul Chi
Feb. 8, 2017


Shailene Woodley officially done with the Divergent films. When asked Tuesday if she would star in the final installment of the young-adult science-fiction franchise, she gave a short and concise answer.

“No,” the Oscar-nominated actress told Vanity Fair at the premiere of her new HBO miniseries, Big Little Lies, at Hollywood’s TCL Chinese Theater. “I’m not going to be on the television show.”





Ascendant, the fourth chapter and final movie based on the best-selling novels by Veronica Roth, was originally scheduled for a theatrical release in March of 2017. But after the franchise's third story, Allegiant, earned disappointing box-office receipts, the picture is now being developed into a TV movie — one that will reportedly also serve as a pilot for a spin-off TV series.

Woodley indicated in September that she probably would not participate in the TV movie but had not yet confirmed that she would definitely be sitting it out. It seems likely that her co-star, Miles Teller, will not appear in the TV movie either.

http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/...social_twitter

[irehtman]

We still don't give up on finishing the Ascendant movie, even if it is going to get aired in TV only. We also still don't give up getting new castmembers of the Ascendant and get Ascendant on DVD afterwards sometimes in the future for a proper ending.