<P> The Divergent Series is a feature film trilogy based on the Divergent novels by the American author Veronica Roth . Distributed by Summit Entertainment and Lionsgate Films, the series consists of four science fiction films set in a dystopian society . They have been produced by Lucy Fisher, Pouya Shabazian, and Douglas Wick and star Shailene Woodley and Theo James as lead characters Beatrice Prior (Tris) and Tobias Eaton (Four), respectively . The supporting cast includes Ansel Elgort, Zoë Kravitz, and Miles Teller . The first film in the series was directed by Neil Burger, while the second and third films were directed by Robert Schwentke . </P> <P> Development began in 2011 following Summit's acquisition of the film rights to the Divergent novel in partnership with production company Red Wagon Entertainment . The studios announced production on the sequel following the first film's strong performance in Thursday late - night screenings, where it grossed $4.9 million . They acquired film rights to the Allegiant novel in December 2013, deciding in April 2014 to split the third novel into a two - part film adaptation . </P> <P> The first installment, Divergent (2014), grossed over $288 million worldwide, while the second installment, The Divergent Series: Insurgent (2015), grossed over $297 million worldwide . Insurgent was also the first Divergent film to be released in IMAX 3D . The third installment, The Divergent Series: Allegiant (2016), grossed $179 million . The first three films of the series have grossed over $765 million worldwide . </P> <P> In March 2011, Summit Entertainment picked up the rights for Divergent with Douglas Wick and Lucy Fisher's production company Red Wagon Entertainment, while Lionsgate distributes the franchise . Neil Burger was announced as the director on August 23, 2012 . Evan Daugherty, who co-wrote the screenplay with Vanessa Taylor, said, "I get hung up on the toughness of the movie but of equal importance is the love story between Tris and Four . It's inherently and inextricably linked to Tris' character journey . There will be plenty of sexual tension and chemistry, but it's important that all of that stuff doesn't just feel like it's thrown in, but that it all helps Tris grow as a character ." Daugherty further added, "It's tricky because the book is a very packed read with a lot of big ideas . So, distilling that into a cool, faithful two - hour movie is challenging . Not only do you have to establish five factions, but you have to acknowledge that there's a sixth entity, which is the divergent, and you also have the factionless . So there's a world that really has to be built out for the big screen...the movie is going to do it a little more efficiently ." Author Veronica Roth said about the script of the film: "Reading a script is a really interesting experience . I'd never read a script before . I was really impressed by how closely it stuck to the general plot line of the book ." </P>

When did the first divergent movie come out