Lionsgate is shaking their 2017 release schedule up a little and it may be for the best. The studio is pushing ‘The Divergent Series: Ascendant’, the last movie in that series of YA adaptations back from its original date March 24, 2017 to June 9, 2017. That puts the dystoptian tale further into the thick of the competitive summer movie season. They may be hoping that this move will draw more viewers beyond fans of the books, which have made up the majority of those going to see these films in theaters.
‘Ascendant”s original release date isn’t being left vacant however, as the studio is bumping ‘Saban’s Power Rangers’ to that date. Originally, the reboot of the classic kids series was due to be released in the winter wasteland of January 13, 2017. In this slot, the ‘Power Rangers’ would have had to take on the potential blockbuster adaptation of Stephen King’s ‘The Dark Tower’ possibly starring Idris Elba.
‘The Divergent Series: Ascendant’ will be directed by Robert Schwentke who is currently shooting the third movie in the series, ‘Allegiant’. He also helmed the second movie, ‘Insurgent’. The movie stars Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Octavia Spencer, Naomi Watts, Jeff Daniels, Ray Stevenson, Zoë Kravitz, Miles Teller, Ansel Elgort, Maggie Q, Keiynan Lonsdale, Jonny Weston, Mekhi Phifer, Daniel Dae Kim, Nadia Hilker and Bill Skarsgård.
‘Saban’s Power Rangers’ will be directed by Dean Israelite and stars Dacre Montgomery as the Red Ranger, Naomi Scott as the Pink Ranger, Ludi Lin as the Black Ranger, R.J. Cyler as the Blue Ranger and Becky G. (Gomez) as the Yellow Ranger.
It’s currently unknown whether or not this will be a modern update of the original Power Rangers with Jason, Kimberly, Zach etc. or a new version which carries on the continuity of the TV series. Reportedly, the main villain will be Scorpina.
Do you think the new release dates are a good sign? Which of these two are you most looking forward to?
Source: Comic Book Resources
