Screen Gems has released new details for its upcoming fantasy adaptation.
City of Bones, based on the first novel in the Mortal Instruments franchise, is the story of Clary, a teen who discovers a hidden past to her family, and a new world in which she must discover her hidden destiny (and a handsome young man).
Young Adult fantasy franchises are big money for Hollywood these days, and so all the studios, major and minor, are picking YA fantasy books up in an attempt to get their hands on the next Harry Potter or the next Twilight.
Screen Gems, a division of Sony, is the studio behind the adaptation of The Mortal Instruments, and is planning additional films for the remaining books, of which there are currently five, marking two trilogies. The plans will, of course, only go forward if the first film sparks interest.
This week, the studio released this photo of co-star Jemma West, who plays the supporting role of Issabelle Lightwood, a friend that Clary meets along the way, and who helps her learn the ways of demon hunting:
This new synopsis is as follows:
Set in contemporary New York City, a seemingly ordinary teenager, Clary Fray (Lily Collins), 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 (Lena Headey), 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. Based on the worldwide best-selling book series.
I’m surprised at the choice of Collins for the staring role. She’s not a teenager anymore, and though she seems to pull it off well in this trailer, will she still be able to in the sixth film? Even if they release one/year she’ll be 30 for the last one. It could be a stretch for her to continue to play a seventeen-year-old. In addition to Collins and Headly, the film stars Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Aidan Turner, Jamie Campbell Bower, and Robert Sheehan.
We also have this trailer from the end of last year:
The Mortal Instruments: The City of Bone will hit theaters August 23, 2013.
