The production team for the fourth "Divergent" movie is on the lookout for a new director for "Ascendant" after Robert Schwentke declined to film the final installment of the franchise. Schwentke has directed two "Divergent" films: "Insurgent" and the upcoming third flick "Allegiant". This time, however, he has decided to step down due to personal reasons.
In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter a source revealed that filming two Lionsgate/Summit movies back to back has taken a toll on Robert Schwentke. The director reportedly asked to take a break to spend more time with his family in Los Angeles, California. There are no issues behind his exit.
The announcement came months before the scheduled shooting for "Divergent: Ascendant" in Atlanta this summer.
This poses a new challenge to the "Divergent: Ascendant" production as they race to meet its supposed Jun. 9, 2017 target release date, which was already pushed back for a couple of months.
Before Robert Schwentke took over the director's chair, "Divergent" was helmed by Neil Burger, with Lionsgate and Summit grooming the movies to rival "The Hunger Games". Both young adult book-to-movie adaptations basically have the same elements: a brave and compassionate female lead who's living in a post-apocalyptic world where she's fighting to right the ills of society. But "Divergent" didn't so much as achieve the same status as "The Hunger Games," although the movie gained positive reviews and worldwide box office sales amounting to $288 million.
"Divergent" had a run decent enough to elevate the expectations for "Insurgent," which by then was under the directorship of Robert Schwentke. But even Schwentke wasn't able to give "Insurgent" that prodigious leap it needed and deserved.
Much of the disappointment over "The Divergent Series: Insurgent" stemmed from the fact that the story's main hero, Tris Prior (Shailene Woodley) was sidelined. A huge chunk of the "Insurgent" movie was devoted on developing Four's relationship with his mother, Evelyn, and letting Four (Theo James) take the spotlight in a many of the fight sequences. "Insurgent" almost felt like the male-centric version of "Divergent."
There's still no telling yet as to how Schwentke helmed the "The Divergent Series: Allegiant," especially since the story will bring Tris and Four on the forefront of a whole new battle. But as to who will be picked as the new director for "Ascendant," it's anybody's ball game. Depending on how "Allegiant" turns out, having a new director could be a game changer for the entire "Divergent" franchise.
Meanwhile, new posters for "Divergent: Allegiant" have debuted, as reported by Movie Web. The posters feature a close-up shot of Tris, Four, Caleb (Ansel Elgort), Peter (Miles Teller) and Christina (Zoë Kravitz). Also indicated are each character's "purity" level. The purity levels give a major hint about the main material in "Allegiant." Tris, Four and the others will learn more about the history behind the factions and why Divergents exist within the system.
Kate Winslet and Naomi Watts have also reprised their role as Jeanine and Evelyn, respectively. "Divergent: Allegiant" also has stellar additions to its cast list, including Jeff Daniels who will portray David, the leader of the Bureau of Generic Welfare.
