Here's some unexpected news about that Mortal Instruments sequel, City of Ashes: According to The Hollywood Reporter, production is expected to restart in early 2014, after it was put on "indefinite hold" last month for financial reasons. Those financial reasons being, of course, that the first film, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones absolutely tanked in the box office.
It's not exactly clear why the film's studio, Constantin Film, has decided to continue with the franchise—City of Bones only managed to gross a measly $58 million worldwide, which is terrible considering the budget was about $60 million. According to Constantin Film’s head of film and TV, Martin Moszkowicz, the response from author Cassandra Clare's "massive fan base" is what prompted the change of heart.
"We are analyzing what we did wrong with the first film -- particularly with the positioning and marketing -- and what changes we have to make. We are working with a great group of people to reposition the franchise [for City of Ashes]...the readers of Mortal Instruments are older than you might think," he commented. "That may have been one issue in our marketing, that we focused too much on a very young audience segment."
The next Mortal Instruments film, City of Ashes, will begin production sometime next year. So, there's that.
[via Vulture]
