Constantin to Move Forward with Mortal Instruments Sequel

October 23, 2013

Production on The Mortal Instruments: City of Ashes was pushed back last month after the first film, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, failed to be a hit at the domestic box office earning just $31.2 million. Internationally, however, the movie has performed better and the worldwide total is reportedly close to $100 million. Constantin made the first film for $60 million and then Sony Pictures put up an estimated $60 million more to promote the release.

Talking to The Hollywood Reporter, Constantin has revealed that they are now planning to start production next year on “City of Ashes,” again based on Cassandra Clare?s best-selling book.

Martin Moszkowicz, Constantin Film?s head of film and TV, said Clare’s fan base has responded positively to the adaptation and that the company is determined to continue the franchise. “The fan response, from the blogosphere and the thousands of mails we have received, has encouraged us to keep going,” Moszkowicz told the trade. “It’s been overwhelmingly positive, in contrast to some other YA titles.”

He added: “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).”

He also said that ?The readers of Mortal Instruments are older than you might think. That may have been one issue in our marketing, that we focused too much on a very young audience segment.”

Harald Zwart is expected to return to direct The Mortal Instruments: City of Ashes with Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower, Kevin Zegers, Robert Sheehan, Jemima West, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Sigourney Weaver starring.