
(Los Angeles, CA) March 16, 2012 – Putting to rest weeks of rampant speculation about director and cast, Constantin Film and Unique Features announced today that Harald Zwart will direct actress Lily Collins in the hotly anticipated film adaptation of Cassandra Clare’s #1 best-selling book series “The Mortal Instruments.”
In the series’ first book “The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones”, set in contemporary New York City, a seemingly ordinary teenager, Clary Fray, discovers she is the descendant of a line of Shadowhunters, a secret cadre of young half-angel warriors locked in an ancient battle to protect our world from demons. After the disappearance of her mother, Clary must join forces with a group of Shadowhunters, who introduce her to a dangerous alternate New York called Downworld, filled with demons, warlocks, vampires, werewolves and other deadly creatures.
Lily Collins, star of the upcoming Mirror Mirror, will play the lead role of Clary. Principal photography is expected to begin August 15 in Toronto. Harald Zwart, whose recent film The Karate Kid grossed over $350 million worldwide, will direct from a screenplay by Jessica Postigo and I. Marlene King, with Robert Kulzer producing for Constantin Film and Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne producing for Unique Features. Martin Moszkowicz, Constantin Film’s head of Film & TV, is executive producing.
Fans and the filmmakers agree: “Lily Collins is the perfect Clary,” says producer Robert Kulzer. “Harald Zwart really understands the visuals and heart of The Mortal Instruments. That was crucial to us. Of course, having Cassandra Clare’s support throughout and collaborating with her on this project has been especially rewarding.”
Lily Collins is repped by CAA. Harald Zwart is repped by ICM. Cassandra Clare is repped by The Gotham Group, which also reps Jessica Postigo. Both Postigo and I. Marlene King are repped by Gersh.



The days of Noah in modern times.
Am I right in hoping the best news is they dropped Bower from the cast! He isn’t Jace.
I have thought that Bower was a poor choice for “Jace” from the beginning. I always thought he was taller and more muscular, more like a younger Alex Pettyfer. Like he looked in I Am Number Four. Don’t get me wrong though!! I’m still totally stoked about the movie!!
” I always thought he was taller and more muscular, more like a younger Alex Pettyfer.”
Alex Pettyfer is five ten.
Jamie CB is six feet tall.
So you thought he was taller, like someone shorter than him?
Jamie can work out, but no one can do anything about Pettyfer’s ugly mug and bad talent. He’s tanked three YA potential franchises before. Unless you hated these books you wouldn’t wish Alex Pettyfer on them.
Acting isn’t a game of paper dolls. Actors transform for their roles. I am sure Jamie, an excellent actor, will as well since it includes nothing more than a haircut and some working out. It’s amazing to see how little imagination people supposedly invested in these parts being cast well have.
I agree with the “Bower isn’t Jace” comment above. ^^
If only, if only,
But i saw on Cassandras page that he is still attached
I don’t.
What did this girl ever do to deserve getting the roles she is getting?
Also, how does being the daughter of a singer allow her to leap to the front of the line of actresses who are more trained and experienced than her?
THEY’RE ACTUALLY MAKING THE MOVIE!!!
The author confirmed Jamie Campbell Bower is not dropped from the cast. I think he will be an awesome Jace.
I am super excited for this movie! As for the comments about “Bower isn’t Jace”, I’m going to give the guy a chance. I have not seen him in anything yet, so I won’t judge his “Jaceness” until I watch City of Bones.
I agree, Bower Not a jace, I can see Chris Zylka he plays Jake on the Secret Circle.
Um, sorry to burst all your bubbles, but, fortunately, Jamie Campbell Bower is still attached to the movie. As Jace, And if you are a true fan of the series you need to get used to it. Cassie, The directors, The producers, Lily Collins and a lot of the fans think he is the PERFECT JACE. It’s about time you stopped losing sleep over how Jamie is not YOUR jace. Build a bridge, and get over it.
I agree that I can’t really see Bower as Jace, but I’m not going to get aggressive with that belief until I see the movie.
I just hope they pick someone AMAZING for Magnus. He’s my favorite character and I’ll cry if they don’t hit his character right on. [Adam Lambert would be amazing, yes??? mmmm]
Am stunned – this girl has MASSIVE eyebrows.
That’s all I see when I watch the Snow White trailer in the theater! How does she get away with those massive eyebrows in this industry?
Chris Zylka??? God this is why they don’t let fans cast movies. Zylka is a terrible actor with only TV experience, no movies, and looks like a big thuggy lump. Jace is supposed to be beautiful and also brilliant. He plays the piano and speaks like 20 languages. Zylka looks like he can barely speak English. And AdamfuckingLambert? He’s not an actor, he’s ten years too old, and he isn’t ASIAN. The character is ASIAN. Thank God for casting directors because if they let idiot fans cast films they’d all be disasters. Jamie Campbell Bower is a fantastic actor and funny and actually looks like he might be smart. Oh well, I’m sure everyone remembers the whining when Robert Pattinson got cast and look how that turned out.
God – how rude. Personally I don’t find either Zylka or Bower attractive. How is lots of tv experience a bad thing? I’ve been very impressed by Zylka’s perfomance in the Secret Circle- so much so that he’s become more appealing in my eyes because of the character he plays. He’s shown more charisma than in the five seconds that Bower has had in the Twilight and Harry Potter movies.
And that’s all the movies Bower has been in basically… so your argument is shit.
Not trying to add fuel to the fire, but Jamie has actually been in one more movie, which he was recognized in. I think you’re not much of a fan of Tim Burton, or Johhny Depp, or Helena Bohnam Carter, because if you were you would have watched Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and you would have known that Jamie actually played Anthony there. So no, Harry Potter and Twilight are not “all” the movies Jamie has been in.
Jamie will be brilliant as Jace, for heavens sake give him a chance. He was wonderful in Camelot and Anonymous, he’s very versatile and Cassie loved his chemistry with Lily, if he’s good enough for Cassie, who gave birth to Jace’s character he should be good enough for everyone else. No actor will ever fit everbody’s ideal of their favourite character, but be patient and you’ll see how fantastic he will be. He’s very cute, has a wonderful sense of humour and I personally think he’ll be perfect.
I dont think that this is a really good cast so fara, but I hope they prove me wrong , because I loved the books and still do.
if they can make pattinson look like edward im sure they can make bower look like jace. i dont really care that much about it, if they picked him hes bound to be good, i just really want to know who simon is!
I am one of the only people fine with Jaime as Jace. I’m pissed off though cause lily collins Is Clary. Lily is an amazing actress but she is like 23 meanwhile Clary its 15 turning 16