Production on City of Ashes, the sequel to City of Bones, was due to start next week but now we’ve got word that it’s been delayed, maybe even cancelled all together.
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones based on the best selling book by Cassandra Clare had a reported budget of $60 million but only grossed $37 million worldwide. (that is without taking into consideration advertising and other expenses.) Check out the press release below:
LOS ANGELES (September 10, 2013) – Constantin Film announced today that it has postponed the start of principal photography of THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS: CITY OF ASHES.
THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS: CITY OF ASHES is the sequel of Constantin Film’s movie adaptation of THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS: CITY OF BONES, the first book in the bestselling series by Cassandra Clare that has sold over 24 million copies to date.
THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS: CITY OF BONES opened on August 21 and has a $70M worldwide box office take after 3 weeks in release. The book series is currently #1 on the New York Times bestseller list for children series.
THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS: CITY OF BONES is a Constantin Film International GmbH and Unique Features (TMI) Inc.
Productions.
The push of THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS: CITY OF ASHES allows Constantin Film to analyze the results to date and reposition the franchise in order to maximize the results for future installments.
Said Martin Moszkowicz of Constantin Film and an executive producer on the franchise: “Constantin Film has a long tradition of adapting books to the big screen. Pushing back the start of production of CITY OF ASHES was a decision we did not take lightly. But after speaking with all of our partners on the creative and distribution side, it was clear that it will be beneficial to have more time to reposition the film in the current market place.
THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS series has an incredibly loyal and ardent fan base and is a bestselling book series. While taking Cassandra Claire’s vision to the screen we want to make sure to draw on the full potential of the franchise.“
Since the first movie didn’t make the money they thought it would – they have no reason to believe that the second one would do any better. As a fan of the series I am completely heartbroken by this news but I will stay positive and hope that they will give the sequel a chance. You never know, right? Maybe the fans could get together and make the studio see that a sequel would benefit them? Maybe DVD sales will prove the fans are there? Social media and powerful fan bases make me believe in the weirdest miracles when it comes to these types of things.
What are your thoughts? Do you want another film or are you okay with it being cancelled? Let us know in the comments!