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This photo released by Summit Entertainment, LLC shows Maggie Q, left, as Tori and Shailene Woodley as Beatrice "Tris" Prior, in the film, "Divergent." The film releases Friday, March 21, 2014. (AP Photo/Summit Entertainment, Jaap Buitendijk)

‘Divergent’ franchise kicks off with $56 million box-office, shy of some expectations

NEW YORK, N.Y. – The teen science-fiction franchise “Divergent” debuted with $56 million at the box office, one of the year’s biggest openings, but one shy of some expectations.

Lionsgate’s adaptation of Veronica Roth’s bestselling young-adult novels, starring Shailene Woodley, didn’t reach the heights of the studio’s other teen franchises. “Twilight” opened with $69.6 million in 2008, and “The Hunger Games” debuted with $152.5 million in 2012.

But “Divergent” is still the second largest opening of 2014, following “The Lego Movie.” A sequel is already planned.

Disney’s Muppets sequel “Muppets Most Wanted” fared poorly, earning $16.5 million over the weekend. In 2011, “The Muppets” opened notably better with $29.2 million.

Last weekend’s box-office leader, the animated “Mr. Peabody and Sherman,” slid to third place in its third week of release with $11.7 million.

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