Tag Archives: Harald Zwart

Constantin to Restart Production on Mortal Instruments Sequel

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The_Mortal_Instruments_-_City_of_Bones_Poster

A few weeks ago the fate of the “Mortal Instruments” film franchise was looking grim. Poor box office performances accompanied with critics panning the film, the studio put the sequel on hold. This week, however, it was announced that the Constantin has decided to push forward with the franchise and begin production on The Mortal Instruments: City of Ashes in 2014.

The sequel is based on the second novel of the same name written by novel series author, Cassandra Clare.

City of Bones starred Lily Collins and Jamie Campbell Bower. It opened to $14 million over its first five-day weekend and grossed about $31 million domestically for Sony/Screen Gems. But the film, which was also critically panned, had a reported $60 million budget, with Sony putting up an estimated $60 million more to promote the film’s release.

Martin Moszkowicz, Constantin Film’s head of film and TV, commented on the decision to move forward.

“The fan response, from the blogosphere and the thousands of mails we have received, has encouraged us to keep going,” Moszkowicz told The Hollywood Reporter. “It’s been overwhelmingly positive, in contrast to some other YA titles.”

He also added that this time around they will learn from the mistakes made with the first film.

“We are analyzing what we did wrong with the first film — particularly with the positioning and marketing — and what changes we have to make. We are working with a great group of people to reposition the franchise [for City of Ashes].”

Currently, the studio will also be looking at the director, Harald Zwart, and what, if any, mistake he made in the style of City of Bones. 

Release Date Announced For City of Bones

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Sony has officially committed to the adaptation of City of Bones from “The Mortal Instruments” series written by Cassandra Clare. After months of negotiations and back and froths between studios, Sony is ready to work on the HUGE series that not only has several more novels than previous franchises but also two novels in a prequel series. 

With the film financed, the studio has already scheduled a release date of August 23, 2013. As of right now that is a weekend which currently has no other releases scheduled. That gives new director Harald Zwart a little over a year and four months to cast, prep, shoot and edit City of Bones. 

Zwart was actually hired to replace Scott Stewart who had left the project when it was dropped by Screen Gems. Zwart is most known as the director behind the 2010, Karate Kid remake.

Cast to play the lead character, Clary Fray, is actress Lily Collins. Opposite of her was originally Jamie Campbell Bower, but it is reported he has sense dropped out. Other than Collins there is no other word on who is cast in the film adaptation.

City of Bones Adaptation Reveals New Director

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The news that fans have been waiting for has finally been revealed. Harald Zwart, of Karate Kid fame, is set to direct the big screen adaptation of City of Bones. 

While the director had remained a mystery for several months, it has finally be released now that the film is moving forward. Screenwriter Marlene King recently met with Zwart and the producers of the feature, and author of the novel, Cassandra Clare, also met with them and later confirmed that adaptation was moving forward.

Here’s the official synopsis for Mortal Instruments:

CLARY FRAY (Lily Collins) is an ordinary Brooklyn teenager until the night she meets the mysteriously tattooed JACE, who turns out to be a half-angel warrior known as a Shadowhunter. When Clary finds out her mother JOCELYN has been abducted, she desperately hopes Jace will be able to help. After a whirling golden portal transports her across time and space in a heartbeat, Clary realizes she too has the powers of the Shadowhunters. But can she harness them in time to save her mother?

Clary, Jace and their fellow Shadowhunters endure one breathtaking battle after another against vampire, warlocks and demons—only to discover Jocelyn hid a terrible secret from the fiercest warrior of all: VALENTINE. Cast out from the world of Shadowhunters, Valentine abducted Jocelyn believing she had a powerful tool known as the Mortal Cup. Using her newfound gifts, Clary finds the Cup, only to be brutally betrayed and forced to relinquish it.

Still reeling from this setback and racing to save Jocelyn before it’s too late, Clary finds herself caught in a battle between forces she barely understands. Based on the best-selling series by Cassandra Clare, MORTAL INSTRUMENTS is a magnificent urban fantasy rich in detail and suspense, about a girl’s journey to the darkest corners of the underworld to save those she loves

The film tapped Lily Collins to star as Clary over a year ago, and it seems she is still locked in for the film. Starring opposite of her is  Jamie Campbell Bower as Jace Wayland.

City of Bones is the first novel in the series written by Clare, and if all goes well, there is a possibility the whole series will be adapted.

It has also been confirmed that filming for the project is set to begin on August 15th in Toronto.