The fantasy adaptation The Mortal Instruments, now titled The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones to make it more franchise friendly, has added Lena Headey, Jared Harris, and newcomer Godfrey Gao to its growing cast, according to Deadline.
The adaptation of Cassandra Clare’s novel series is about Clary Fray (Lily Collins), a young woman living in New York City who learns she is a descendant of Shadowhunters, a secret cadre of young half-angel warriors locked in an ancient battle to protect our world from demons. After the disappearance of her mother, Clary must join forces with a group of Shadowhunters, who introduce her to a dangerous alternate New York called Downworld, filled with demons, warlocks, vampires, werewolves and other deadly creatures.
Lena Headey is playing Jocelyn Fray, Jared Harris portrays Hodge Starkweather, and Godfrey Gao has signed on to play Magnus Bane. Others already cast include Jamie Campbell Bower, Jemima West, Robert Sheehan, Robert Maillet, and Kevin Durand.
The Mortal Instruments is a series of six young adult fantasy books, so there’s plenty of room for a franchise if the first movie works out. Principal photography will begin August 20, 2012 in Toronto, with Harald Zwart (The Karate Kid) directing.