How a blockbuster franchise imploded after splitting its final chapter into two parts

Cultures · Published 9 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The Divergent Series was a box-office powerhouse until its third installment, Allegiant, arrived in 2016. By stretching the final novel into two films, the studio faced a critical and financial backlash that derailed the entire franchise, leading to canceled sequels, plummeting stock prices, and a disillusioned cast.

Released in March 2016, Allegiant was intended to be the first half of a two-part finale based on Veronica Roth’s 2013 novel. Directed by Robert Schwentke, the film followed protagonists Tris and Four as they ventured beyond the walls of a dystopian Chicago, only to find a high-tech society run by the Bureau of Genetic Welfare. While the premise aimed to expand the series' scope, the execution failed to resonate with audiences or critics.

The decision to split the final book into two cinematic parts—Allegiant and the planned Ascendant—was widely blamed for the film's poor reception. Critics panned the project for its reliance on heavy CGI, lack of originality, and thin character development. With a production budget estimated between $110 million and $142 million, the film grossed only $179 million worldwide. This performance made it the lowest-earning entry in the series, causing Lionsgate’s stock to drop and prompting Moody’s Investors Service to downgrade the studio’s liquidity rating.

The fallout was swift and severe. Lionsgate initially attempted to pivot by reconfiguring the planned sequel, Ascendant, into a television movie that would launch a spinoff series. However, the plan collapsed as key cast members, including Shailene Woodley, expressed frustration with the franchise's direction and eventually withdrew. By December 2018, Starz officially abandoned the television project due to a lack of interest from both executives and the original stars, effectively ending the Divergent saga.

The failure of Allegiant serves as a cautionary tale for Hollywood’s trend of dividing final book adaptations. While the strategy had worked for other young adult franchises, here it resulted in a narrative that felt padded and cynical. For the actors involved, the experience was deeply disappointing, with Woodley noting that she nearly quit acting entirely as the series lost its creative footing.

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