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Bestselling author Cassandra Clare’s series The Mortal Instruments is ready to transition from print to the big screen.
When Clare released City of Bones in 2007, she had no idea how successful the novel would become. The first in a series of six, City of Bones is a young adult, urban fantasy novel set in New York City.
Protagonist Clary Fray is fifteen years old, but that doesn’t diminish her unlikely relatability, nor does it hinder her role as a heroine. The novel opens with a pivotal scene, immediately drawing the reader in with a murder in a teen nightclub; three unconventional-looking deviants catch the blame, when they shouldn’t even be seen. Really. Clary Fray shouldn’t physically be able to see them, and the fact that she can lands her in a whirlwind of trouble. Describing themselves as Shadowhunters, a clandestine tribe responsible for ridding the earth of demons, the trio is just as enthralled with Clary’s newfound Sight as she is with their strange markings and odd weaponry. Before you know it, Clary’s mother has disappeared, Clary’s involved in a vicious encounter with a demon, and she has no one left except her best friend, Simon, and an obnoxious Shadowhunter by the name of Jace.
Now envision that scene unfolding on the big screen; that’s right, City of Bones is currently in pre-production. In fact, Sony recently revealed the film is to be released in the U.S. on August 23, 2013. The cast is slowly coming together- the two leads having been cast for a while, now. Lily Collins (Snow White, Mirror Mirror) is taking on the role of Clary Fray and Jamie Campbell-Bower (Caius, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn) will act opposite Collins in the role of Jace Wayland.
Robert Sheehan of Misfits fame has been cast as mundane Simon Lewis. Relatively unknown to American film-goers is actress Jemima West, who will play Isabelle Lightwood, another Shadowhunter. Robert Maillet (Minotaur, Immortals) has been cast as villain Blackwell, with Kevin Durand (Ricky, Reel Steel) acting as his partner in crime, Pangborn. No other actors have been cast at this time.
Harald Zwart (The Karate Kid) is set to direct the film, with Marlene King (Pretty Little Liars) and first-timer Jessica Postigo screenwriting. Principal photography will begin on August 15, 2012 in Toronto, Canada. (x)
