DIVERGENT is a thrilling action-adventure film set in a future where people are divided into distinct factions based on their personalities. Tris Prior (Woodley) is warned she is Divergent and will never fit into any one group. When she discovers a conspiracy to destroy all Divergents, she must find out what makes being Divergent so dangerous before it's too late. Based on the best-selling book series by Veronica Roth.

“Divergent” director Neil Burger will not helm “Insurgent,” the second title in Lionsgate’s upcoming young-adult franchise, and the studio has set the sequel for a March 20, 2015, release.

Burger is currently in post-production for “Divergent,” starring Shailene Woodley, for a March 21, 2014, release and Lionsgate is currently seeking another director for “Insurgent.”

The March, 2015, release date requires that production start this spring. Lionsgate also announced Monday that the third film, “Allegiant,” will be released a year later on March 18, 2016.

The “Divergent” franchise — released via its Summit brand — is viewed as a key to Lionsgate’s strategy to lead in the young-adult genre. Summit’s five “Twilight” films have topped $3.3 billion in worldwide grosses and Lionsgate’s first two “Hunger Games” have pulled in over $1.4 billion.

Lionsgate also had to find a new director for “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.” Gary Ross directed “The Hunger Games,” which opened in March, 2012, then decided against directing the second film, citing a compressed production schedule. Francis Lawrence directed “Catching Fire” and is currently on the two “Mockingjay” titles in the “Hunger Games” franchise, which are already being shot back-to-back in Atlanta and will be released in November, 2014 and November, 2015.

In February, 2011, Summit closed a deal to acquire film rights to Veronica Roth’s futuristic novel “Divergent” with Red Wagon toppers Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher attached to produce along with Pouya Shahbazian. Lionsgate then bought Summit early last year and signed “Limitless” helmer Burger to direct several months later.

“Divergent” also stars Theo James, Jai Courtney, Miles Teller and Kate Winslet. Set in a dystopian Chicago, the story centers on a society divided into five factions, each dedicated to a particular virtue — Candor, Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity and Erudite — with all 16-year-olds required on a particular day to select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives.

The life of the female protagonist Beatrice Prior (Woodley) changes dramatically when she switches factions.

Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer told Wall Street analysts in May that owning “The Hunger Games” and “Twilight” gives the company a catalyst in launching other properties. He noted that “Divergent” has been dated for release on the same slot used last year for the release of “The Hunger Games” and that the books have racked up strong sales.

“Divergent” was published in 2011, followed by “Insurgent” in 2012 and “Allegiant” in October.