The Mortal Institute: July 2012

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Cassandra Clare talks casting process

Amidst all the questions circling about casting for The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, author Cassandra Clare took to Tumblr to clear up what the latest is on casting.

Last week, entertainment gossip site Just Jared put out a rumor that Kevin Zegers was cast to play Alec Lightwood. We all thought it was pretty weird that no one, including Cassie and the studio execs, could confirm this rumor. We've all debated what could have happened to the previous actor that was hinted to by Cassie.

We know now that the first mystery actor was indeed unable to sign for the role due to scheduling conflicts. Whether the latest rumor about Zegers is true or not, Cassie made it clear that she can only confirm the actor when he signs the confirmation letter. Here's Cassie's post in it's entirety:

Well, yes, you shouldn’t trust IMDB. That much is given. (It’s not too bad at the moment though Aidan and CCH Pounder aren’t listed yet. Last week Valentine was listed as being played by someone named Jolene.)

As far as Alec goes, it’s more than just IMDB: rumors are all over. That also happened when Jace was cast. It took a while to separate out what was happening from what wasn’t.

I thought maybe it would help if there was a bit of a breakdown of how this works. Casting is a creative matter (the director, producers, etc. looking at auditions or readings or previous work and deciding) until an offer is made to someone. “Would you like to play Alec?” That does not mean that person is cast. They have to want to play Alec. They have to have their agent negotiate the terms of a deal that everyone is happy with because you do actually get paid to play Alec. Or anyone. :) And you have to promise not to run off in the middle of filming and whatnot. This requires paperwork to be signed by everyone.

The final bit of casting is the “confirmation letter” which everyone signs and once everyone signs it then Alec is cast. Now I generally know that they’re looking at specific people, even a specific someone, but that’s about all I know while the legal department churns through the paperwork. When the confirmation letter is signed, then the studio will generate a press release. When they generate the press release and send it out, THAT is when I am allowed to tell you who Alec is. Usually until the press release goes out, I DON’T ACTUALLY KNOW the answer to the question beyond “they’re in negotiations with someone.”

And I am absolutely and totally and completely not allowed to say who they are in negotiations with, because then I am betraying a trust that has been placed in me not to reveal that, not only by the studio but by the actor (not that they know who I am :D) — it really ought to be their decision, too, about what they want revealed about what they are doing in their career. I don’t, like, want the intimate details of my mortgage payments all over the ‘net, and it’s sort of the same thing.

And it is a good idea to wait until things are confirmed, because false reports aren’t helpful. I know Alec is sort of a sore point (and I still feel bad, believe me) because I said I could announce him and then it turned out I couldn’t: There was a mixup and it was thought the confirmation letter was signed but it wasn’t, because the movie schedule had changed (it changes with every new draft of the script) and suddenly the actor wasn’t sure the new dates would work.

And in fact they didn’t. That actor isn’t going to play Alec. The scheduling didn’t work out. So. It is indeed a good thing I didn’t announce it then, annoying as it was for everyone at the time. I want you to be able to trust me and so not giving you information that may not pan out is important to me. As of this literal moment, I have not gotten the press release/go-ahead to say who Alec is, which means that the confirmation letter isn’t signed. Which means we do not have an official Alec. That could change any second. But I am not witholding information about who has been cast as Alec to be mean (seems pointless, and Variety would just carry the story anyway because they’d get the press release as it is meant for, well, the press). And I can’t tell you when Alec will be announced because it isn’t planned ahead like that: “We will announce Alec on the seventh of August, at nine am!” They wait for the confirmation letter to go through. Asking “When will we have Alec?” is like asking “When will it rain?” or “When will we have a car that runs on dandelions?”

So basically in sum-up, I don’t have an answer to those questions — we will have an Alec, and soon, because they cannot make the movie without him —and I will, as I have always promised, tell you as soon as I am able, and I will give you only the information I know is definitely true.

So, with all this said, what do you think will happen next in casting news? Are you happy with the news so far? Chime in below in the comments box.

EXCLUSIVE: News From the CoB Movie Set!

Things are definitely underway on the City of Bones set as the studio prepares for their August 20th filming start date. Yesterday Cassie announced two new cast members; CCH Pounder as Madame Dorothea and Aidan Turner as Luke Garroway and from a TMI_Institute exclusive it seems that background actors have already begun their casting call for the Pandemonium club scene that opens the book and most likely will also be the opening scene in the movie.

We had a chance to talk briefly with one of the background actor hopefuls about her experience auditioning for a part in movie's Pandemonium scene (I wonder if I can still try as as the curvy black girl who gives Clary a dirty look?).
our exclusive source said that she went for the casting call last week in a preliminary search for background actors and was told to arrive dressed in funky clothes and hair with lots of piercings and tattoos. Once she had arrived her picture was taken alongside other casting hopefuls (probably to compare funky Pandemonium looks) and she was told that the studio will make their decision soon she believes that filming for this part may begin in early September or October.

Each day City of Bones comes closer and closer to becoming an on-screen reality and we can't wait to see the world that we all painted in our minds splashed across the big screen around this time next year.

We at The Mortal Institute wish our casting-hopeful friend all the best as she waits to hear back from the studio, we're sure her look was great and can't wait to hear what happens next!

Keeping an eye out in Toronto
-Shannon Catori

Monday, July 30, 2012

CASTING NEWS: AIDAN TURNER IS LUKE

Fangirls are swooning! I know I am! Cassandra Clare just announced that Aidan Turner from Being Human has been cast Luke Garroway in The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.

Cassie said: 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. He was terrific in Being Human and there’s massive buzz about his upcoming role in the Hobbit. He’s Irish so perhaps he and Robert Sheehan can sit around and talk about Irish things. Looking more the flannel-shirt wearing Luke we know and love. Harald was so excited to work with him he was hopping around. I’m pretty excited about him playing Luke myself! Welcome Aidan!
Filming begins August 20 in Toronto. What do you think of Aidan as Luke? Sound off below!

CASTING NEWS: Madame Dorothea

CCH Pounder is Madame Dorothea!

Madame Dorothea was a lot of fun to write, according to City of Bones author Cassandra Clare. "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."

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," Cassie said.

I'm beyond excited by this casting, but what do you think? Sound off below!

Movie Monday 11: Java Jones

I’ve banded together with other ‘Mortal Instruments’ fansites (TMI Source, Mundie Moms, TMI Examiner and TMI News en Espanol) for a weekly feature called Movie Monday.

Each Monday leading up to the August 23, 2013, release of ‘The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones,’ we will take a look at a scene, moment, detail, etc. and give our opinions on how we think it will be interpreted in the big screen adaptation.

Here is my thoughts on the Java Jones scene from Chapter 3: Shadowhunter:

WEEK 11: JAVA JONES
The "Shadowhunter" chapter sheds more light on the mysterious world of nephilim and downworlders, mostly happening at (or outside) the coffee house Java Jones. I feel this scene must be in the movie for a number of reasons.

The backdrop of this part of the book takes place as Simon and Clary go to see Eric do a hideous poetry session at Java Jones. I'm dying to see Simon (Robert Sheehan) looking antsy as he tries to tell Clary (Lily Collins) how much he wants her to be his girlfriend and how oblivious Clary is to this fact. I can't wait for that moment when she notices Jace (Jamie Campbell Bower) sitting there in the shop, hidden from everyone but her, and how she abruptly runs out after him when he goes outside.

The interaction between them outside Java Jones is just as necessary. Jace tries to find out what she is. Clary is confused and annoyed at his inherent babbling about Shadowhunters but interested enough to stay and talk. "Declarations of love amuse me, especially when unrequited" is one of my favorite lines by Jace. He realizes how much Simon, the most mundane of mundanes, likes Clary even though she clearly doesn't feel the same. This is just another revelation he is trying to share with Clary. It's a way to open her eyes to all the truths she seems to miss in her life.

I'm equally just as excited to see when Clary opens her mind up enough to see Jace's runes, thus confirming his suspicions about her. This leads to an unexpected set of calls from her mom (Jocelyn is portrayed by Lena Headey), where Clary realizes she is in danger. Jace tries to help, but Clary lashes out at him, scraping her nails along his face. She runs off into the night to save her mom. This scene will be a great transition to the attack on Clary by the Ravener demon.

You can go to tmisource.com to read the whole article!

City of Bones Cast...so far

Filming for The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones begins in less than a month in Toronto and we're all eagerly anticipating the last remaining bit of news regarding the cast. Only a few characters' shoes are left to fill.

We have Lily Collins in the role of Clary, Jamie Campbell Bower in the role of Jace, Jemima West as Isabelle, Robert Sheehan as Simon, Godfrey Gao as Magnus Bane, Lena Headey in the role of Jocelyn, Jared Harris as Hodge, Robert Maillet as Blackwell and Kevin Durand in the role of Pangborn.

Rumours about Alec will be clarified soon, Luke will be announced, Eric; Simon's friend and bandmate and of course Valentine!

Who do you think will be announced first? Who do you think will get the parts? Chime in below in the comments box. I'd love to hear what you're all thinking!

Friday, July 27, 2012

VOTE: Jem in the YA Tourney

When most people dream about their fave person in the Infernal Devices series, many go for the Will Herondale. I, however, look to the other side of the parabatai duo, James Carstairs, as my choice for the most amazing character in the YA Crush Tourney.

There's so many reasons to love Jem and so many reasons why YOU should vote for Jem. I asked fans what qualities they adore in him:

Sweet, caring, reliable, talented, honorable, musically driven, charming, good-hearted, dedicated to his parabatai bond, loving, accepting, generous, (can be) soft spoken, mysterious, GORGEOUS!

All quotes below this are from The Infernal Devices series.

Jem is passionate! He is a true poet at heart. "He wanted what his father had had - the sort of love poets wrote about." What Jem truly desires is that once-in-a-lifetime love that sweeps you off your feet and carries you away for the rest of your life. Because he worries of his impending death, Jem just truly wants to spend the rest of his life loving Tessa with all his heart -

"You speak of sacrifice, but it is not my sacrifice I offer. It is yours I ask of you," he went on. "I can offer you my life, but it is a short life; I can offer you my heart, though I have no idea how many more beats it shall sustain. But I love you enough to hope that you will not care that I am being selfish in trying to make the rest of my life - whatever length - happy, by spending it with you. I want to be married to you, Tessa. I want it more than I have ever wanted anything else in my life." He looked up at her through the veil of silvery hair that fell over his eyes. "That is," he said shyly, "if you love me, too."

Who wouldn't completely fall for someone who said this?

"When two souls are as one, they stay together on the Wheel. I was born into this world to love you, and I will love you in the next life, and the one after that."

Jem fights tries hard to deny himself daily of the drugs that would make him feel better, although those same drugs will eventually kill him. To me this is honorable.

"Sometimes Jem felt as if he wanted to burn. Sometimes he did not know why he struggled against it, why he valued a longer life of suffering over a shorter life without pain. But then he reminded himself that the lack of pain would only be another illusion: like Jessamine’s dollhouse, like Will’s stories of brothels and gin palaces."

He does it because he feels more for Tessa than he does his own pain.

"No more. The yin fen has taken so much from me: my family, the years of my life, the strength in my body, the breath in my lungs. It will not take from me this too: the most precious thing we are given by the Angel. The ability to love. I love Tessa Gray. And I will make sure that she knows it.

He also is devoted to Will as his parabatai. The two are indeed of one soul.

Will rose slowly to his feet. He could not believe he was doing what he was doing, but it was clear that he was, clear as the silver rim around the black of Jem’s eyes. “If there is a life after this one,” he said, “let me meet you in it, James Carstairs.” “There will be other lives.” Jem held his hand out, and for a moment, they clasped hands, as they had done during their parabatai ritual, reaching across twin rings of fire to interlace their fingers with each other. “The world is a wheel,” he said. “When we rise or fall, we do it together.” Will tightened his grip on Jem’s hand, which felt thin as twigs in his. “Well, then,” he said, through a tight throat, “since you say there will be another life for me, let us both pray I do not make as colossal a mess of it as I have this one.”

(i know this is from CP2 but it basically describes their relationship and how fond they are) Jem is wise beyond his years. He not only protects Will to the best of his ability, but he also understands the true nature at the heart of a shadowhunter.

"Whatever you are physically...male or female, strong or weak, ill or healthy--all those things matter less than what your heart contains. If you have the soul of a warrior, you are a warrior. All those other things, they are the glass that contains the lamp, but you are the light inside."

Jem is sweet. Instead of being snarky or sarcastic with someone he likes, he shares his feelings openly. :

Jem: I only regret that it came too soon. I-I would have wanted to-to court you first. To take you driving, with a chaperon. Tessa: A chaperon? Jem: To tell you of my feelings first, before I showed them. To write poetry for you- Tessa: You don't even like poetry! Jem: No. But you make me want to write it. Does that not count for anything?

There are a ton of other reasons and examples that could take up a book. When it comes down to it, I feel that Jem is pure. It's so rare to see a male character in a book series that has a pure soul and completely mesmerizes you by his honesty, kindness and compassion. And of none of this pulls at your heart strings, just know this: WILL WOULD VOTE FOR JEM!! :)

Thursday, July 26, 2012

RUMOR: Kevin Zegers: Alec in 'Mortal Instruments'

Kevin Zegers: Alec in 'Mortal Instruments' (Exclusive)

According to JustJared.com, Kevin Zegers has booked a leading role in the highly anticipated film The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones,
Kevin, 27, will play Alec Lightwood, the gay brother of Isabelle (Jemima West). He is in love with Jace (Jamie Campbell Bower) and dislikes Clary because Jace is in love with her and not him. The film is scheduled to be released on August 23, 2013.

Kevin most recently starred in the ABC mini-series Titanic: Blood and Steel. He has had a recurring role on Gossip Girl and also starred in the films Transamerica and The Jane Austen Book Club.

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones is based on the first book in the best-selling series by Cassandra Clare. The story follows Clary Fray (Lily Collins), a seemingly ordinary teenage girl, who finds out the truths about her past and bloodline after her mom is attacked and taken from their home in New York City by a demon. Her entire life is changed on her quest to get her mom back.

What do you think? Do you believe Kevin could pull off Alec Lightwood? Sound off below.

Cassandra Clare's books in NPR Best-Ever Teen Novel poll

NPR has narrowed down the Favorite Best-Ever Teen Novels and are once again asking readers to chime in on their favorites. Both The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare have been nominated. Here's what NPR had to say:

Last month we asked you, our audience, to nominate titles for a top-100 list of the best young adult — YA — fiction ever written. Thousands of you sent in nominations. We've tabulated those suggestions and, with the help of an expert panel, narrowed the list to the 235 finalists you see below.
In winnowing the roster to a manageable size for voting, we considered both a book's popularity — as represented by the number of nominations it received — and the question of how well it fits the YA category. The latter sparked plenty of debate; there is, after all, no objective test for teen fiction. Is Pride and Prejudice YA? What about The Catcher in the Rye? Or The Lord of the Rings? (No, yes and yes, respectively.) The judges looked at qualities such as a book's themes, the age of its main characters, its reading level. But in the end, the most important test was often whether a given book is one that teens themselves have claimed — whether they do, in fact, voluntarily read it. The resulting list is an interesting mix of classics and new titles (click here for a printable list of all the finalists).

And so, let the voting begin! Everyone gets 10 votes. Once you've selected your top-10 titles, scroll to the bottom of the poll and click "Submit." Feel free to reminisce about your favorites — or lobby for them — in the comments section. We'll be back in a few weeks with a list that should keep the young people in your life entertained and inspired until long after their teen years exist only as cringe-worthy memories.

Make sure to go vote, Shadowhunters!!!!

New 'Clockwork Princess' snippet with Will

Since Will won his round yesterday in the YA tournament, Cassie released a new Clockwork Princess snippet.

“Will!”

He turned at the familiar voice and saw Tessa. There was a small path cut along the side of the hill, lined with unfamiliar white flowers, and she was walking up it, toward him. Her long brown hair blew in the wind — she had taken off her straw bonnet, and held it in one hand, waving it at him and smiling as if she were glad to see him.

His own heart leaped up at the sight of her. “Tess,” he called. But she was still such a distance away — she seemed both very near and very far suddenly and at the same time. He could see every detail of her pretty, upturned face, but could not touch her, and so he stood, waiting and desiring, and his heart beat like the wings of seagulls in his chest.

At last she was there, close enough that he could see where the grass and flowers bent beneath the tread of her shoes. He reached out for her —

Pardon me while I slowly die inside a little! Is anyone else just beyond anxious about what will happen in this book? I'm so looking forward to your thoughts on this snippet!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CASSIE!!!

Today, July 27th, is a very special day in the world of Shadowhunters. It's Cassandra Clare's birthday!!!! To celebrate, the Mortal Institute crew and several fans got together to send special wishes. We will be tweeting #HappyBdayCassie at 11 am EDT and continuing all throughout the day. Please be sure to leave a comment below to sign the birthday card we made for her! Also, vote for Jem and Magnus today in the YA Crush tourney! That would be a super special birthday present for them to both win this round! This one's for you, Cassie!!

someecards.com - NO, Will! We can't send Cassie Clare a duck for her birthday. Not even a little one.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CASSIE!!! Thanks for giving us wonderful literary characters we laugh, cry, yell and fangirl about on a daily basis. You go above and beyond to take care of your fans through it all! I can't say thank you enough, and I hope you have the best birthday ever! Hugs and lots of love, Amber

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CASSIE!!! Thank you for inspiring a generation of indie writers who look up to you and your work and who put their pen to paper and began to follow their dreams. You're awesome! Have a great day! <3 -Shannon

Happy Birthday Cassie! I and everyone else love you like Will loves sarcasm and Sebastian loves burning things... (which is a lot) and we would be lost without you! Have the best day EVER XD Lots of hugs and kisses! - Katheryn

Happy Birthday Cassie!!!! I just want to thank you for creating books that I am completely obsessed with. You are one of my favorite authors and I cannot wait to see what else you come up with. I hope that your day is AMAZING!! - Satin

Happy happy happiest of birthdays Cassie!!! I don't have the words to properly tell you how much I love your work and what it means to me! Thank you so much for giving us the fascinating world of Shadowhunters! :) Sarah (thepaisleyowl)

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Shadowhunter Saturday: #TheHerondales

What would Shadowhunter Saturdays be without our Shadowhunter families? Over the next few weeks, we will pay tribute to each of the Shadowhunter families. This Saturday, July 28 at 11 am EDT, we will celebrate one of everyone's favorite Shadowhunter families:

#TheHerondales

We will be joined on Twitter in leading this trending topic by my blogger friends @TMI_Source, @TMISpanishNews, @MundieMoms, and @TMIExaminer . Please say that you will join us in getting this trending topic to #1!

Round 2: YA Crush Tourney Sweet Sixteen (update)

In case you want to keep up with the YA Sisterhood Crush Tourney 2.0, I'm posting links for each match. Hope this helps! Remember to vote for all of Cassandra Clare's characters. She posts a new snippet each time a TMI/ID character shows up in a round.

Round 2: The Sweet Sixteen

Wednesday, July 25th, 2012

Match 17: WINNER: Will Herondale

Match 18: WINNER: Adam

Friday, July 27th, 2012

Match 19: WINNER Magnus Bane
Match 20: WINNER Jem Carstairs

Monday, July 30th, 2012

Match 21: WINNER Adrian (was against Alec)
Match 22: WINNER Patch (was against Simon)

Wednesday, August 1st, 2012

Match 23: Dimitri vs. Aiden
Match 24: Daemon vs. Peeta

Round 3: The Elite Eight

Friday, August 3rd, 2012

Match 25: Will Herondale vs Adam

Match 26: Magnus Bane vs. Jem Carstairs

Monday, August 6th, 2012

Match 27: Winner Match 21 vs. Winner Match 22
Match 28: Winner March 23 vs. Winner Match 24

The Final Four

Wednesday, August 8th, 2012

Match 29: Winner Match 25 vs. Winner Match 26
Match 30: Winner Match 27 vs. Winner Match 28

The Finale

Friday, August 10th, 2012

Match 31: Winner Match 29 vs. Winner Match 30

Monday, July 23, 2012

Movie Monday #10: Simon Catches Clary & Jace kissing

We are just over a year away from the theatrical release of ‘The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones’ and the hype for the adaptation of the internationally best selling series by Cassandra Clare will only continue to grow as the release draws nearer.

I’ve banded together with other ‘Mortal Instruments’ fansites (TMI Source, Mundie Moms, TMI Examiner and TMI News en Espanol ) for a weekly feature called Movie Monday.

Each Monday leading up to the August 23, 2013, release of ‘The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones,’ we will take a look at a scene, moment, detail, etc. and give our opinions on how we think it will be interpreted in the big screen adaptation.

This week we discuss the aftermath of the Midnight Flower scene. Here's my thoughts!

Week 10: SIMON CATCHES CLARY & JACE KISSING

There are so many things I love about the chapter “Midnight Flower”. The moment when Jace let’s go of his control and kisses Clary for the first time is flawless, but the scene that steals it all is the dialogue between Jace, Clary and Simon when Simon walks out of her bedroom to see them together.

This was the first time I visualized our three actors, Jamie Campbell Bower (Jace), Lily Collins (Clary) and Robert Sheehan (Simon) in this scene. Simon, poor Simon. Clary totally forgot about him. Jace says “Just kissing? How swiftly you dismiss our love” after Clary breaks it to Simon that she and Jace kissed. Poor Simon feels defeated, losing the only girl that he never truly had…at least not in that sense. Jace continues, “Go on. Go after him. pat his head and tell him he’s still your super special little guy.” Jace clearly is angry but only spews sarcasm. Simon is clearly just as angry. Two boys in love with the same girl, and Clary is stuck in the middle trying to figure out what she feels.

If you look at the scene and the boys side by side, you can clearly see why Simon has every right to be upset. He has been in love with Clary for 10 years, being there for her through everything. Jace, although the new guy, is clearly a threat, and has taken Clary’s attention. Clary isn’t crazy about Simon swooning over Izzy, either, and I am really looking forward to seeing Lily look angry and confused by what Clary thinks is Simon’s irrational reaction. After seeing Robert Sheehan in Misfits and Killing Bono, I’m completely confident that he can bring a passionate authenticity to this scene and make us all want him as a boyfriend!

What are your thoughts on this scene? You can comment below, and you can go to TMI Source to read the rest of the article.