Lionsgate isn't too worried about the controversial ending of the third book Allegiant will hurt their upcoming new film Divergent, adapted off the first book in the trilogy and starring Shailene Woodley.
Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer didn't sound too nervous during a recent conference call with analysts, TheWrap reports. "A little controversy in terms of publicity never hurts."
Their new franchise hasn't even appeared in theaters yet, and it could be in trouble if people decide not to bother to see the film in March after finishing up the trilogy. Lionsgate says that though some readers were not fans of how the series ended, the studio is still seeing positive buzz around the book. The studio also notes that reviews were strong for the book.
Veronica Roth, the author of the Divergent trilogy, wrote a blog post, defending her decision to end the trilogy a certain way.
Roth noted that readers are allowed "to feel however you want to feel, or think however you want to think, about the ending." She then goes on to say, "I've said before that this ending was always a part of the plan, but one thing I want to make clear is that I didn't choose it to shock anyone, or to upset anyone."
The author calmly adds, "There's no way to please everyone."
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