Kevin Zegers Cast as Alec Lightwood in TMI

Kevin Zehers has been cast as Alec Lightwood in the Upcoming Mortal instruments movie, City of Bones. Here is a picture of what he looks like...

Cassandra Clare's Opinion:


So yes, thank goodness, finally, all the paperwork is signed and I can tell you that YES IN FACT, YES ACTUALLY Alec is going to be Kevin Zegers. 


So in fact the gossip sites got it right but at the time there was no signed paperwork and he wasn’t actually cast yet so — there wasn’t anything I could say. Especially after we already had one Alec and lost him. So really I’ve been ripping out my hair since then. I think there are just pieces left.
Kevin was actually one of the first actors approached to play Alec but his schedule didn’t work with the filming originally so they went with someone else; then the scheduling changed once again and it didn’t work for Alec Mark Two, but did work for Kevin. Such are the vagaries of casting.


I’ve always liked Kevin, since Transamerica, and I had him on my website for Sebastian for ages which is funny in retrospect because now I’ve seen him play Alec so I think he’s much too nice for Sebastian. 


One of the things I really liked about Kevin was that one of Alec’s audition scenes was the scene where Alec shouts at Clary in City of Bones and tells her she endangered Jace’s life. And a lot of the actors who auditioned played it yelling and really mean so you just thought, boy, Alec. What a jerk that guy is. Kevin played it with a quiet sort of intensity that grew through the scene so you could see through the cracks of the anger and think: wow, this guy is really scared and vulnerable. Because that is the Alec people love.


Also he will not have to wear contacts to get Alec’s baby blues because he already has them. Which is just a fortunate plus.


So yes, welcome Kevin!


Personally I think he is a bit old but we cant be too picky.

Posted by Ruby

Cassie on the Alec Casting Rumour

Here is what Cassandra Clare has to say of the Alec Casting Rumours...

And yes, I know there are casting rumors swirling and you want to know whether they’re true or not. Unfortunately I can’t confirm or deny (and I was hoping to get out of this without sounding like Nixon) at the moment. Hopefully this Dark Suspense will not last too long…".

Posted by Ruby

Luke and Madame Dorothea Cast in The Mortal Instruments Movie

Aidan turner has been cast in the role of Luke...


Cassies Opinion:

"Luke — Clary’s surrogate father figure, he has a hell of a dark past despite his current mild-mannered, bookstore-owning ways. The scars he bears belie his gentle heart — but he could tear you apart with his teeth if you threatened something he cared about.
Holly has long insisted Luke is her Fictional Boyfriend, so today, Holly, you have won: Aidan Turner."



CCH Pounder is Madame Dorothea..

Cassies Opinion:

"Madame Dorothea was a lot of fun to write. She’s Clary’s downstairs neighbor and a “witch” — the kind with crystal balls and Tarot cards. Her secret is that none of that magic is at all real: it’s a cover for the powerful position she actually does hold in the secret society of Downworlders.
Our Madame Dorothea is: CCH Pounder.
You may know her from The Shield. Or The X-Files. Or Warehouse 13. Or ER. Or The West Wing. Or pretty much every cool show in the known universe. Our director’s wanted to work with her for ages and I think she will be amazing. Welcome, CCH!"


Posted by Ruby

Hodge Cast in The Mortal Instruments Movie

Jared Harris has been cast as Hodge in The Mortal Instruments.

Cassandra Clare's opinion:

Hodge is also a really complicated character. He’s not entirely bad, not entirely good. He’s a brilliant man led down a bad path a long time ago and he can’t turn back, but he does love those kids he tutored. So if you’ve seen either Mad Men or Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows (in which he was Moriarty), you know this guy, and you know he’s fantastic at moral ambiguity.  

He’s got SAG awards and Emmys all over the place and I think he’ll really nail Hodge’s moral dilemma. Welcome, Jared!


I told you it wasn’t going to be a boring day!

Posted by Rapunzel

Jocelyn Cast in The Mortal Instruments

Casting announcements have just been rolling in and one of the most recent ones is Jocelyn. Lena Heady has been cast to play this role.

Cassandra Clare's post:

Jocelyn is a really fun character to write. She’s overprotective (but for a reason) and often really unyielding and unsympathetic, but she’s also a heroine who saved the world from Valentine, endured a lot of loss, and can execute some pretty badass moves. Moral ambiguity is always fun to play and who does it better than

the gorgeous and talented Lena Headey. You probably know her best as Cersei from Game of Thrones.

I have had an actress crush on Lena for years so when they told me she was cast I did a happy dance and hit Sarah Rees Brennan on the head with a spoon. Actually I would have done that last bit anyway. Lena is amazing and I think she will be amazing as Jocelyn. I 
am super psyched.


What do you guys think? I'm loving this casting choice!

Thoughts?

Posted by Ruby

Magnus Bane Cast in The Mortal Instruments

Godfrey Gao has been cast as Magnus Bane in The Mortal Instruments movie.

Here is what Cassandra Clare has to day about it...

Yes it is MAGNUS!!!

So after an exhaustive search during which many, many hot Asian men were considered by the casting director (her job, so painful), the director, and the seventy-odd other dudes who have to sign off on this kind of thing, I can confidently tell you that our Magnus may be …

THE HOTTEST MAN IN THE WORLD.

Which is only fitting for Magnus, of course.

Our Magnus is:

Godfrey Gao.

*said of picture posted above*

You cannot take a bad picture of this guy. It is impossible. That is probably why he is a supermodel as well as being an actor.

Godfrey is, in addition to being all gorgeous and stuff, super-talented (his audition was awesome), loves the books, and is, like Magnus, ridiculously tall.

He is also super-nice — we emailed briefly and he said “I’m half Southeast Asian, because my mom is Peranakan Malaysian And my dad is Shanghainese - Soo hopefully the fans will like me playing Magnus!”

Oh, I don’t think there’s any worry about that! But if you are as happy and excited as I am, tell Godfrey! He’s on twitter at http://twitter.com/godfreygao and he’d love to hear from you.

Meanwhile, I am off to compose a letter to whosoever may be playing Alec.

Dear So and So,

Here are some pictures of Magnus. Please feel free to send me a fruit basket. My address is …

Does that last bit mean that Alec has been cast but not announced?

Posted by Ruby

City of Bones Graphic Novel Release Date

The first of 8 issues in the Mortal Instruments Graphic novel series will be released on May 7th 2013.

Anyone else super excited?!

Magnus Bane Casting Rumour

Rumours are circulating that Shannon Kook could be playing Magnus Bane in the Mortal Instruments movie, City of Bones.

What do you think? Is this the face of 'Magnus Bane' all powerful gay warlock?

Posted by Ruby

Mortal Instruments Casting Update

Here is the casting of the Mortal instruments movie ATM:

Posted by Ruby

Simon's casting in the City of Bones movie Q&A

The latest member of the City of Bones movie is Robert Sheehan (Misfits anyone?) as Simon, Clary's  best friend. Cassandra Clare is now answering questions regarding his casting process.

Talking about fans reactions:

I haven’t run across much negativity. Robbie’s probably the best-received piece of casting we’ve had. I guess what I would say is that first, there’s always an adjustment period, when you adjust your mental image of the character (and everyone’s mental image of a character is different) to encompass what a cast actor looks like. It doesn’t have to replace your mental image. You just sort of mentally accept the actor as a version.  That seems to be 99.9% of people’s process. 

When people say “He doesn’t look like Simon” they mean “He doesn’t look like Simon in my head” (since Simon, not being real, does not look a specific way beyond the general markers given to him in the book — brown hair, brown eyes, medium height, thin. Until we replace actors with the human equivalent of Dr. Who’s  psychic paper, where you look at it and see whatever you want to see, there will never be total consensus about what a fictional character looks like or whether an actor matches them. Especially if you’ve gotten attached to a piece of fancasting. All that goes away when you actually see the actor acting the part, because the acting is actually what matters. (Obviously, if they suck, that’s a whole different story, but Robbie is a fantastic actor and I think that’s a large part of the why the response to him was so positive. You tend to trust people who’ve given great previous performances.)

Q. Which scenes did he do with Jamie and Lily in his audition?

A. Two scenes with just Simon and Clary, one where he first meets Jace, and the one where he catches Jace and Clary kissing in the hallway

Posted by Amy

Cassandra Clare answers casting question about adult characters in TMI movie

This was posted on Tumblr:

“Hi Cassie! :) So we’ve all been talking about casting news that includes Magnus, Alec, and Simon, but not so much on Hodge, Luke, Jocelyn, and Valentine. I was just going to ask, did any big stars audition for the adult roles?

— s0muchskill ”

For the adult roles, people don’t so much audition. When you’re a younger actor, you tend to have less of a body of work, whereas if you’re asking, like, Dame Judi Dench (I pick her randomly because there is obviously not a role for her in the movie so no one will think I am giving oblique hints!) she has a huge body of work you can look over to see the vast range of roles she can play. 

So it is very unlikely anyone would ever ask her to audition. It tends to be much more a “chat with the director over lunch or Skype to make sure you’re simpatico, that’s it” kind of thing. So it’s just not a question of like the hundreds and hundreds of auditions that came in for Jace and Alec and Izzy. (As for Lily and Jamie auditioning together, the moviemakers are aware that the chemistry between Jace and Clary has to be a centerpoint of the film, so that was nonnegotiable, but testing together doesn’t always happen.)

With the adults there is a definite “well, if this person then this person but not this person” thing — like, Luke and Valentine have to be very different. It’s all very complicated with lots of moving parts. These days I tend to be amazed that any movies ever get made at all.

Posted by Ruby

Alec Lightwood casting speculation

Scouring the internet for City of Bones casting rumors I have come across this on "City of Bones Movie". One of the admins of the sight has collected information that Cassandra Clare has released in tid-bits on Alec and summed up the info:

Is British, Generally Considered Hot & Sexy and has acted before in movies plays ect.

And is not: Nicholas Hoult, Chris Riggi, Alex Johnston, Andrew Garfield, Dan Radcliffe, Freddie Highmore, Ben Barnes. Or Douglas Booth but Cassie seemed to have a very funny reaction when asked about him making me think that he may be in the running or a favorite for Infernal Devices Will or some other role.

Posted by Ruby

Cassandra Clare gives time for Simon casting

Cassandra Clare has posted this outlining when she expects Simon to be cast:


Anyway I have a favorite Simon but I can’t say who it is. I’m rooting for him quietly because I think he’d be awesome. My guess is we won’t have a confirmed Simon until July because of Reasons. But July isn’t that far off!


Posted by Ruby

Jemima West cast as Isabel Lightwood in City of Bones movie

Jemima West has officially been cast as Isabelle Lightwood in the Mortal Instruments Movie.

Any thoughts about this casting news? Do you think she will make a good Isabelle?


Posted by Ruby

Jamie/Jace Rumours Quietened by Cassandra Clare

Rumours have been circulating around the web saying that Jamie has been taken off the role of Jace in City of Bones Movie. Cassandra Clare has posted dispelling these rumours.

Because my ask box is crazy full of questions about this — yes, there have a few (well, one that I know of) articles saying Jamie Campbell-Bower isn’t attached to the City of Bones movie any more.

Jamie is perplexed.

I was perplexed by the rumors as well but I wanted to take the time to check them out completely; I knew they were negotiating Jamie’s contract, but I can tell you after major thorough checking — yes, 100% he is Jace; Lily is ecstatic, I am, the whole team at Constantin is; Jamie has a trainer, he’s been working out six days a week and drinking protein shakes and by all tales told to me looks terrific.

Soon he will look like this.

[i am JUST KIDDING. This will not happen. Breathe.] Here’s Jamie actually talking about his training regimen at 8:50 in this video: 

Stephanie, our casting director, is actively casting the rest of the roles — that means auditions, lists of actors, the whole shebang; I got a peek at some lists and was really excited. You never know how things will shake out, but there were some great actors suggested. I’m excited they’re going to audition.

In sum: Jamie is Jace, nothing has changed, sometimes there are weird rumors on the Internet, I try to be there for you to confirm or deny when I can — if I don’t answer right back it’s because I don’t know and I’m checking.

Posted by Rapunzel

Mortal Instruments Movie News Announced by Cassandra Clare

On her way to the airport Cassandra Clare posted the latests -and very exciting- movie news. Here it is...

"So I can’t post much; I’m running off the airport, literally, to catch a plane home.

I had a great meeting last night with Robert (of Constantin — the people who own the movie rights to City of Bones) and Jessica (screenwriter, along with Marlene King) and the director, who had such incredibly detailed questions about the film that I found myself having to pull out my iPad and reread City of Bones because even I couldn’t remember what happened. But he did, which is an excellent sign!

Anyway, it was a great meeting — we went on for hours till they kicked us out of the restaurant and everyone was incredibly enthusiastic. Now here is an actual piece of actual news: I know people have been fretting because Lily has so many projects (she’s a popular girl) so I checked in and she is locked down schedule-wise for an August 15 shooting start date for City of Bones.

Yes, that’s an August shooting start date. So there, an actual piece of news. :) They’re hiring a casting director now to start on the rest of the cast, and Lily has what’s called “meaningful consultation” on the roles of Jace and Simon (meaning she gets to put in her two cents, which only seems fair since she has to kiss them both) — we know she already threw in for Jamie but I will say that she definitely likes someone for Simon that a lot of you all like. Who knows, maybe she can talk him into it. Girl with good taste, our Lily.

And that’s all for now, I run to the airport, but I’ll have a bit more for you later — like the director’s name. ;)"

Waiting with bated breathe for the next bit of news...

Posted by Rapunzel

Mortal Instruments Movie Progress

This exciting new development was just posted on Twitter by Marlene King...



Here is what Cassandra Clare has said:

I just wanted to say that I am so glad that Marlene is meeting with the director and the producers at Constantin. I know lots of rumours have been floating around and I tend to be really quiet, but I want to make sure that when I tell you something, it’s true to the best of my knowledge. The movie industry runs on rumors and innuendo (this is why IMDB is basically useless till a movie goes into production and they lock down the page) and while things can always change, I want to be passing along info that’s as final as things in Hollywood get.

I have a little bit of news that’s exciting — and not even the news I was talking about yesterday! — I will be flying to Los Angeles from Mexico to meet with the new director. I can’t tell you who he is yet, but I’ve talked to him on the phone and he’s had a lot of great insight into the characters, really smart thoughts about the filming, and he had great thoughts about Jace, talking about how he wasn’t just an action hero, he was a layered, complex character with a lot of depth (oh and he has met with Lily and Jamie and he loves them.)

I’m excited he and the producers have made a special point to meet with me, go over concept sketches, talk about the characters and their direction — that doesn’t happen all that often with authors in Hollywood, that we get included that much. However I don’t want to jinx anything, so I’m going to be vague until things are definite. I will keep you updated as much as I can — I know it’s hard to wait; believe me, it’s hard for me, too. I’m actually really glad that we moved on from Screen Gems because things have been proceeding at enormous speed since then and I hope to have some concrete stuff to tell you soon. In the meantime I promise photos of my crazy trip to LA. :)

Posted by Rapunzel

New City of Bones movie director and producer

Yesterday, Marlene King, who rewrote the script, revealed that she has a meeting with a producer and the new director.
Now, Cassandra Clare revealed that she is also meeting with the new director, whom she has spoken with on the phone already, in two weeks.
The new director has already met with lead actors Lily Collins (Clary) and Jamie Campbell Bower (Jace) and loves them. He also has a good feel for the complexity of the characters and their direction, including the many layers of Jace. Clare said that the producers have really made it a point to include her in the process, hence the meeting, which is very encouraging.

Check out Cassie’s full post:

I just wanted to say is that I am so glad that Marlene is meeting with the director and the producers at Constantin. I know lots of rumours have been floating around and I tend to be really quiet, but I want to make sure that when I tell you something, it’s true to the best of my knowledge. The movie industry runs on rumors and innuendo (this is why IMDB is basically useless till a movie goes into production and they lock down the page) and while things can always change, I want to be passing along info that’s as final as things in Hollywood get.
I have a little bit of news that’s exciting — and not even the news I was talking about yesteday! — I will be flying to Los Angeles from Mexico to meet with the new director. I can’t tell you who he is yet, but I’ve talked to him on the phone and he’s had a lot of great insight into the characters, really smart thoughts about the filming, and he had great thoughts about Jace, talking about how he wasn’t just an action hero, he was a layered, complex character with a lot of depth (oh and he has met with Lily and Jamie and he loves them.)
I’m excited he and the producers have made a special point to meet with me, go over concept sketches, talk about the characters and their direction — that doesn’t happen all that often with authors in Hollywood, that we get included that much. However I don’t want to jinx anything, so I’m going to be vague until things are definite. I will keep you updated as much as I can — I know it’s hard to wait; believe me, it’s hard for me, too. I’m actually really glad that we moved on from Screen Gems because things have been proceeding at enormous speed since then and I hope to have some concrete stuff to tell you soon. In the meantime I promise photos of my crazy trip to LA.

Who’s excited to find out the identity of this new director? And looks like things are definitely moving forward at a rapid pace now.

Taken from the TMI source

Posted by Alice

Cassandra Clare clears up TMI movie rumours

Here is what Cassandra Clare has aid in reply to some rumours that have been going around recently because of an artical published concerning the movies production...

To read teh full artical click here (LINK)

Part of the artical:

In this case, I will say:

1) The movie isn’t “cancelled.” This really doesn’t make much of any difference at all except in who distributes it.

2) Lily and Jamie are still attached. I mean, it’s been months since Screen Gems was connected with the project, and L&J are still attached, so I’m fairly confident they’ll be attached for the foreseeable future. Will they be attached forever? NO idea. But nothing about this makes it any more or less likely. And this isn’t news to them.

3) Really, this makes no difference to anything. I know words like “dropped” sound shocking and horrifying but in this context, it doesn’t mean much. I talked to Constantin last week and actually gave them a list of actors I liked for Simon (because why not?), and they gave me a schedule they expected to start filming by (August.)

No movie is going to be made until it’s greenlit. The movie was in development. It’s still in development. That said, Hollywood is like a big pinball machine. Projects bounce up, they roll around, they go this way, they go that way. This is (was) a bounce.

Posted by Rapunzel

Reason for the City of Bones Script re-write

In an earlier post we talked about how Cassandra Clare did not like the original script (see original post here LINK) and suggested as re-write but we had no idea what exactly she did not like. Now we know. It was the fact that they had not included Magnus, something I find appalling.

Eternally thankful he is now being included.

Posted by Rapunzel