The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

In New York, Clary Fray keeps drawing a strange symbol, and at a nightclub she watches Jace and his friends kill someone only she can see. Her mother, Jocelyn, vanishes after warning her about someone named Valentine. At the Institute, Clary learns she's a Shadowhunter and that the warlock Magnus Bane blocked her memories. Everyone wants the Mortal Cup, which she hides inside a tarot card. Hodge betrays the group and hands the Cup to Valentine, who claims to be Clary's and Jace's father. Clary tricks Valentine with a replica and shoves him through a portal, which is destroyed. Jocelyn is rescued but stays unresponsive. Jace doubts they're siblings.

1. Behind the scenesThe author said no to a male lead

   Cassandra Clare says studios asked her to turn the lead into a boy. She refused and held out for someone willing to keep a heroine.

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2. Behind the scenesJace almost went to someone else

   Lily Collins was cast first, in December 2010. Jace was offered to Alex Pettyfer, who passed, and the part went to Jamie Campbell Bower.

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3. Behind the scenesThe sequel that became a show

   City of Ashes was in development, with Sigourney Weaver reportedly joining. After the weak box office it was shelved in October 2014, and the story moved to TV.

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