Divergent franchise to skip final film in favour of TV movie and spin-off series

The latest instalment tanked both critically and commercially upon its release in March

It's fair to say that, these days, television is considered film's equal thanks to a number of high calibre directors and acting talent being lured to the small screen over the past few years.

Perhaps this is why the ailing Divergent franchise is jumping ship. Variety has learned that Lionsgate is planning to bypass a cinema release for final outing Ascendant in favour of a TV movie.

An insider has also noted how the film - which will wrap up the adaptations of Veronica Roth's young-adult novels - will be made with the intention of setting up a spin-off series set in the same world with a complete new set of characters.

Divergent and its sequel Insurgent found box office success following their respective releases in 2014 and 2015. However, the latest instalment, Allegiant, tanked upon its March release leading to initial budget cuts for the upcoming film which was originally slated for a June 2017 release.

Perhaps it was its placement against World War Z 2 and Universal's high-profile reboot of The Mummy that inspired Lionsgate's decision, but - despite seeming to herald the end of cinema's infatuation with young adult novel adaptations - there's no denying the small screen move is a savvy one: the Divergent franchise will most likely benefit from the change.

The series, set in a futuristic world where citizens are split into factions based on personalities, stars Shailene Woodley, Theo James and Ansel Elgort in the lead roles; their appearance in Ascendant is unconfirmed.

Supporting actors to have starred in the series over its three-film run include Kate Winslet, Jeff Daniels, Naomi Watts and Whiplash actor Miles Teller.