It’s kind of a shame what happened with Lionsgate’s Divergent series. Based on Veronica Roth’s YA novels, hopes were initially high for the films, given how successful the books were, and with a studio who’d already proven they knew how to navigate the tricky waters of the genre a few years prior with The Hunger Games series, all signs pointed to another mega hit that would dominate the box office for the next little while.
Divergent released in 2014 and though far from perfect, it was a wholly enjoyable adaptation that laid the groundwork for an exciting new franchise. Unfortunately, though, it was all downhill from there. The next film, Insurgent, was mediocre at best and the decision to split the last book, Allegiant, into two separate outings turned a lot of people off. As expected, the first part bombed both critically and commercially, while the second part, Ascendant, never got off the ground.
Eventually, Lionsgate announced that they’d be taking the property to the small screen. In theory, the idea could work, but there’s just one problem, and that’s that none of the main cast seem too interested in returning. And can you really blame them? Miles Teller and Theo James have already ruled themselves out and now, you can add Shailene Woodley to that list. While the actress had noted in the past that she wasn’t sure if she’d be back to reprise the role of Tris, she sealed the deal this week in an interview with Vanity Fair.
Asked if she’d be involved, Woodley simply said, “no. I’m not going to be on the television show.” Doesn’t get more concise and to the point than that, right? With the three most important members of the cast all intending on sitting out of the small screen outing, we really don’t see how this is going to work. Likely, Lionsgate is just going to have to recast the entire thing, which probably doesn’t bode well for the project. Then again, it at least gives them the chance to start fresh.
However the studio chooses to proceed from here, we’re having trouble getting excited for this one. The Divergent films have gone downhill ever since the first instalment and if the original cast aren’t even going to be returning, we don’t see much of a point in tuning in to finish the story. And we’re sure we’re far from the only ones who feel that way.
What do you think, though? Would you be interested in watching a Divergent television show without the original cast? Sound off below and let us know!