November 3, 2009 | by Rob Frappier 

Is ‘The Mortal Instruments’ The Next ‘Twilight’?

the mortal instruments

Ever since Twilight made author Stephanie Meyer a millionaire, it seems as if the publishing industry has caught teen angst/fantasy/horror fever. Naturally, the fever spread to Hollywood where new movies about teenage werewolves, vampires, and various other classic movie monsters are appearing at an alarming rate. According to Variety, the most recent fantasy franchise to make the jump to the big screen will be Cassandra Clare’s The Mortal Instruments series.

For those unfamiliar with The Mortal Instruments, here’s a quick blurb from the Variety article: “Story revolves around teenager Clary Fray’s search for her missing mother, which leads her to a city filled with mysterious fairies, raucous warlocks, vampires and other demons.” Collectively, The Mortal Instruments series of books have spent 28 weeks on the New York Times Best Sellers List.

The Mortal Instruments film, which will compile the first three books of the four-book series, is being produced by Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne of Unique Features. Constantin Film will also play a role in producing the film. For the screenplay, Unique has signed screenwriter Jessica Postigo, who wrote the still unreleased Operation Checkmate, which details the hostage of Colombian-French politician Ingrid Betancourt Pulecio.

It would be easy to dismiss this series and others like it for seemingly cashing in on a fad, but that’s unfair to both the author and the filmmakers. Since I haven’t personally read the series myself, I’m going to hold off on passing judgment for the time being. However, if there are any fans of these books out there in Screen Rant land, please feel free to leave your comments below.

Source: Variety

Related Posts with Thumbnails


Tags: the mortal instruments,

sponsored links
Ads by Google
  • I_LOVE_THE_MORTAL_INSTRUMENTS
    I think the idea for making all three books into at least one movie might sound bad but in the first book it says Jace and Clary are brother and sister and that might get people upset. So it might be a good idea to go all the way to the third book because then it won't be as sad. After all Jace and Clary do end up together. And about the time for the movie no one said movies have to have a time limit. Plus the movie Australia seemed like it was like 4 hours long so they could do the same with the mortal instruments. Speaking of the actors in the movies I think Alex Pettyfer should defiantly play Jace he is so perfect. As for the other actors it doesn't really matter I just want Alex to play Jace.
  • Johanne
    I hope NOT that the mortal instruments movie will be as bad as twilight. Twilight sucks, and the mortal instruments series is the best books of all time ! I hope it wont be like young girls only going to se it because of jace and uuuug stuff like that . makes me so mad .
  • Marissa
    This is a GREAT series but why the hell are they compiling the first with books into one movie!? That just discourages me about the movie. This is my favorite series. I really wish they wouldn't do this. = (
  • Sirriana
    I have to say I don't understant about this crazinest around Twilight. . all books are about . . how MUCh Edward love Bella . . .and How Edward is shiny. ..so awesome, perfect and ideal . . if he was women I say he is Mary-Sue. . it's soooooooo boring. .The Mortal instruments are absolutly different . . they have storyline!!!!!. . .and characters have personality!!!. . .so stop compare something like Twilight whith The Mortal insruments . . . . because I hope that film whoud be better than that - werewolves are so HOT without t-shirt -. . really stupid. . but thirteen years old girls love it. . that is true
  • brittney
    No way is TMI the next twilight. I completely agree that twilight is overrated. I just hope that they do a good job of it. But, as it's going to be produced by the guys who oversaw The Lord of the Rings, I think it's in pretty good hands. :) And i most definately agree that Alex Pettyfer should play Jace. That is just spot on. :)
  • Caitlin
    I love the books but if the three books are put into one movie it will have to loose lots of information and it won't be any good. I also love the twilight series but i have fallen in love with the MI books. The twilight movie was not the best and i hope the MI movie will be better. I'm looking forward to c-ing the new movie, and i hope Alex Pettyfer plays Jace. :)
  • kristine
    Yes, I'd have to agree with what everyone has posted. I enjoyed twilight as it appealed to my romantic side and it was entertaining to be swept up in the emotional aspects of the story. However, I have to agree that MI is a better written series overall and will likely appeal to a wider demographic. I lent it to one of my male friends and he couldn't put it down. MI just has a lot more dimension and complexity than twilight in terms of the plot, the characters, etc.
  • David
    i just hope they dont destroy the movie as it has alot of supernatural themes that just wont seem right unless they give it there all nd oh at least this love triangle makes sence unlike bella who just wakes up one day and decides shes in love with edward nd oh yea coincidently she decides this after she finds out hes a vampire so in the end she just a fand banger hussy that wants imortal life nd hey if it ment i would live forever i would hit that two.... peace
  • Becca
    There are several different things that tie the two series together for comparison, not only the love-triangle. There is also the jealousy that one character expresses (for Twilight its Bella and Rose, for TMI its Alec and Clary) towards another. And the fact that each story has a hero, in a sense. Edward is always rushing off to save Bella, and Jace does the same for Clary.

    One thing that would make TMI better than Twilight in some eyes, is the action. It's throughout every book, keeping the reader gripping the edge of their seat impatiently waiting to hear more.

    For anyone looking for a good series with action and a ridiculously large love group, try The House of Night series by P.C Cast and her daughter.
  • Zuri Arteaga
    The MI series is the most awesome series I've read since Twilight. Being a Twilighter myself, I have to say that TMI is way, WAY better than Twilight. It's got so much more suspense, and action, and romance. Especially when it comes down to Clary and Jace, and their shocking truth, it's much more exciting, and keeps you on your toes when you want to find out how the story ends. TMI will NOT be the next Twilight, it will be the next teen flick that will have all Twilighters proclaiming themselves as Shadowhunters!!!
  • EA
    I recently read City of Bones and though it was phenomenal. The humor, action, and romance all compacted into one book is a fantastic read! I have read all the books from the Twilight series and thought the teenage love triange was somewhat creative, but now I'm ready to move on. I h8 hearing everyday about Twilight and who's better: Jacob or Edward? TMI definitly appeals to a wider audience.
    I CAN'T WAIT TILL I GET THE NEXt BOOK IN THE SERIES!!!!!!!!
  • Asut
    I have read both The Twilight Saga and the Mortal Instruments Trilogy and whilst i enjoyed both I feel that The Mortal Intsruments Trilogy will translate better in film. Like Twilight the characters are quite vivid; however, where in the Twilight Saga the action is limited to the end of each text, with Mortal Intruments the action is interwoven throughout the text. Even as i read it i felt it would make a wonderful film.
  • cutie515
    I am sooooo excited for the fourth book I could not put the others down. I kno the movie will be increadible. Twilight was okay and I loved the books but I love TMI so much more. I kno a thousand other teens feel the same way I have been wishin since I first read the books to play in the movie.
  • Heatherr
    The Mortal Instruments series is a supernatural story with an exciting twist. The plot is extremely desirable. Once you start, you simply cannot stop. This series twists danger, love, horror, and blood into compelling words. The series takes your mind, and bends it to make you love the characters due to the amazing author, Cassandra Clare. The characters are loving, humorous, dangerous, and of course, mysterious. The way the author can imagine a world with fantasy, amazes you. The world of Shadowhunters, is something new to the shelves and classic to the heart.

    --Reviewed By Heather(;
  • Kaci
    The mortal instruments is definitely in my top 3 for best young adult series. And trust me, I have read almost every series that lies within that genre. Mortal Instruments is exciting, heart-wrenching, and wonderful. The characters are so lifelike and compelling, the battle scenes unfold behind your eyes, and the entire series keeps you guessing. Twilight is a great series as well (with a not quite-as-great movie) but it's really not fair to lump every single book that happens to be in the young adult genre in with it.
  • Marissa
    I COMPLETELY agree with you abut making the three books into one movie...not fair at ALL!
  • Lindsey
    Yup I'm really excited the only thing I don't like is that they are combining all three books into one movie. I think the Mortal Instruments deserves more than that!
  • Anna
    I enjoy Twilight because it feeds the silly romantic inside me, but TMI does so much more than that. It appeals to a wider audience, is much better written, and all the characters are well-rounded and enjoyable.
  • carol
    TMI books were fantastic bought the first two could not put them down bought the third before i had even finished the second. can't wait for the last one. i am a huge fan of TS and HP but this series was unbelievable, lots of action and well written. i would definitely pay money to see it in film. just hope they stay true to the book i hate it when they leave parts out and replace it with something else.
  • reedoh
    Twilight was my favorite book series until the movie came out, I still love it, but you know, things get old after seeing and hearing it every single day.

    The mortal instrument series is my favorite books right now, I bought the series not knowing anything about it, just like I did with twilight, I put off reading it at first because i had bought other books that I had already knew of, and I wanted to read them first.
    BUT!
    From when I picked the book up, I didn't pause once till I finished it, and then I picked up the other two and did the same. I can't wait for the fourth book to come out.

    A few things happen in the book that might make some people pause in reading it, but it ends perfectly.

    It has way more humor in it than twilight, so some people might like it better, but it also has a little less of romantic feeling than twilight, so some people might not like it as much, though it is about love, I think it's very cute. The sarcasm in it is perfect.

    I know all books turned movies usually suck compared to the books,excluding harry potter, but I think if it doesn't get blown up like twilight it will be fine!
  • Valii
    I think, TMI is much better than Twilight
    Twilight is too much drama nd too less action
    Nd I don't like Bellan nd Edward xp
    TMI is funny, there's more action nd the story is way more interesting
    But that's just my opinion (:

    Sry for the bad english xD
  • Emily
    The mortal instruments might not have as many fans as twilight, but trust me, It's a much more interesting, much better written series then twilight will ever be!

    Though I have to give props to twilight, it's an ok series I just feel like it's way too overrated.


    The only similarity to the two series is that they have vampires and a love triangle

    other then that they just can't be compared. They are on two completely different fields.

    MI FTW
  • Heather
    Oh please, don't even compare it to twilight. The Mortal Instrument series is more original, with better plot and character development. I hope that it doesn't follow the same movie base as twilight because that would be an epic fail.

    Many other books are from authors who jumped on the Twilight band wagon. Cassandra Clare, is definetly not one of them. Cassandra Clare's books are good because they are good. Twilight is good because the fan base says so and others are influenced by peer pressure.

    You haven't read the books? Then why are you talking?
  • HGrimmy
    I'm not so sure about it. I love the series, but I'd rather see four movies rather than ,ake a 1+2+3 movie, and have to finish with another movie just on one book. And does anyone know it there are any excerpts from the new book yet? I'm dying to read anything from it.
  • Marissa
    just go to cassandraclare.com she has a little bit of detail about it.
  • Eds
    well, its too soon but everyone's been wanting Alex to play Jace.

    But really, if the movie outfit stays true to the books, theres no way the movie can fail..TMI is really that good! from book 1 down to the last chapter of book 3 ^^
  • Karen
    Alex Pettyfer = Jace Wayland
  • Carolyn
    Alex Pettyer - please cast him as Jace. He is perfect.
  • Makaila
    Oops,I said 'can' up there,I meant'Can't'
  • Makaila
    I just recently read the first book of this series,City of Bones.I loved it! The ending I didn't like as much.Simply because of some of the relations in the book.I'm not going to spoil the book for the rest of you :) But I think a movie of this would be brilliant.I think that to make it a good movie you can leave out much and thats going to happen.Making all three of the books into one movie will take out to much of the good stuff in the books.I think they should follow the rout that Twilight took.Make the first move based on the first book and then the movie will make money and so will the books.All of the fantasy teen things are very popular now and I think they would make more money in the long run by breaking it up.That is all it's about for the production company and such,money.So they should be smart about it.
blog comments powered by Disqus