Fans of ‘The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones‘ have been waiting to hear about the progress of a sequel after hearing about the second film being delayed due to low box office returns. While the original film did make a profit, it was at a slim margin which stalled the sequel’s progress. Initially, filming for ‘The Mortal Instruments: City of Ashes’ was scheduled to start in Toronto, Canada last September before being delayed to a 2014 production. Sadly now, we are getting a new stumbling block. It was just announced that the director of the first film, Harald Zwart (‘The Karate Kid’, ‘Agent Cody Banks’), is now out of the sequel’s creation.

While the studio has made no official announcements, as of this time Zwart stated that “The studio is still certain that they will make this movie, but it’s not me who directs it. I will focus on other projects in the future. Shadow Hunters was a great experience and it gave me a good window to show off.”

The other project Zwart is now involved in is the film ‘The 12th Man,’ a World War2 film based on the exploits of Jan Baalsrud.

 

Who will be replacing the director for the next installment? While Zwart confirmed leaving the production, there has been no announcement yet from Sony. I’d expect a new director to be picked in the near future for plans to move forward this year to remain intact. Hopefully, whoever the new director will be can capture the characters as well as Zwart did.

While the film may not have done well initially at the box office, the support has been terrific. Fans of the novels have done nothing but heap praise on the first film and have been clamoring for a sequel. Here’s hoping to a quick announcement and return to shooting as the film is supposed to be in the works this year!

Who do you think would be a good pick for filling Zwart’s shoes? Are you at all worried that with a change of directors there be an even longer delay before a sequel gets started? Share your thoughts below!

‘Mortal Instruments: City Of Ashes’ Synopsis

Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what’s normal when you’re a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who’s becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn’t ready to let her go—especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary’s only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil—and also her father.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings—and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

Source: Aftenposten