Robert Schwentke will direct The Divergent Series: Allegiant, Part 1, according to a new report.
Variety says that the Insurgent director is set to return for the first half of the two-part Allegiant finale.
There’s no word at this time on whether or not Schwentke is also returning for Part 2. If history is any indication, he will: Parent studio Lionsgate shot the two-part finales for Breaking Dawn and The Hunger Games back-to-back using the same director for each pair (Bill Condon and Francis Lawrence respectively).
We’ve reached out to the studio for comment and will update when we receive a response.
Update: Lionsgate has declined to offer any information about Part 2.
It’s too early to know if Schwentke returning for the finale is good or bad news, but if Lionsgate is happy with how Insurgent is coming together, we expect they have faith that he’ll be able to carry the Divergent series to the finish line with flying colors.
The first film in the four-part story was directed by Neil Burger, who decided to not return for the sequel after being offered, in his opinion, too small of a production window.
Earlier today we learned that a new surprise is coming for Insurgent fans next Friday, December 12. Many are expecting that the studio is about to drop a new trailer. At the same link you’ll find the first still from Insurgent, which depicts Tris, Caleb, and Four on the run.
Insurgent opens in theaters March 2015, with Allegiant parts 1 and 2 hitting theaters in March 2016 and March 2017, respectively.