Official: Kevin Zegers cast as Alec in CITY OF BONES
After months of speculation and rumors, we finally have our Alec Lightwood.
Cassandra Clare confirmed a previous report by Just Jared that Kevin Zegers has been cast as Alec in The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.
Clare had to wait until the paperwork was complete and the casting official before she could make the announcement.
So yes, thank goodness, finally, all the paperwork is signed and I can tell you that YES IN FACT, YES ACTUALLY Alec is going to be Kevin Zegers.
Clare revealed that Zegers was one of the first choices for Alec, but due to scheduling conflicts the studio opted to go with someone else.
THR reported that Constantin Film was in talks with Ed Westwick for the role of Alec, which Clare confirmed on Twitter.
Constantin had been in talks with Ed Westwick for the role, but those discussions broke down over a scheduling conflict due to Westwick’s Gossip Girl commitments.
Then Westwick fell through due to Gossip Girl scheduling conflicts and Zegers’ schedule was free.
So in fact the gossip sites got it right but at the time there was no signed paperwork and he wasn’t actually cast yet so — there wasn’t anything I could say. Especially after we already had one Alec and lost him. So really I’ve been ripping out my hair since then. I think there are just pieces left.
Kevin was actually one of the first actors approached to play Alec but his schedule didn’t work with the filming originally so they went with someone else; then the scheduling changed once again and it didn’t work for Alec Mark Two, but did work for Kevin. Such are the vagaries of casting.
Clare has been a fan of Zegers’ for awhile.
I’ve always liked Kevin, since Transamerica, and I had him on my website for Sebastian for ages which is funny in retrospect because now I’ve seen him play Alec so I think he’s much too nice for Sebastian.
Clare said that Zegers’ audition made him stand apart from the other actors.
One of the things I really liked about Kevin was that one of Alec’s audition scenes was the scene where Alec shouts at Clary in City of Bones and tells her she endangered Jace’s life. And a lot of the actors who auditioned played it yelling and really mean so you just thought, boy, Alec. What a jerk that guy is. Kevin played it with a quiet sort of intensity that grew through the scene so you could see through the cracks of the anger and think: wow, this guy is really scared and vulnerable. Because that is the Alec people love.
And as an added plus, Zegers already has those gorgeous blue eyes that are Alec’s signature.
Also he will not have to wear contacts to get Alec’s baby blues because he already has them. Which is just a fortunate plus.
So yes, welcome Kevin!
Zegers expressed his excitement in joining the Mortal Instruments family on his Twitter page.
What do you think of Zegers’ casting? How excited are you to finally have Alec cast? Sound off in the comments!
TMI Source 
For some reason i think he is a little too old and too short to play alec….
He’s nice and looks kinda looks like h
He’s nice and kinda looks like the Alec I pictured but I still think he’s a little too old.
I do think he will be awesome though.
He;s really hot but I can only see him as an older version os ALec. DUde, this guys IS and LOOKS too old to play an eighteenth years-old guy. SNIFF!! Im SO the first guy (the british one) they wanted as ALec didn’t work because of his schedule sniff!!!!!!!!!
Im SO sad** Gosh, my typing sucks! Im just in shock. Sorry!
Any one else think he looks like Zack Effron? Lawl. In complete honesty, he doesn’t look too much about how I figured Alec would look… Although, he’s a treat to look at. ;D I think I might be eyeballing him more than Jace.. Sad to say, but it’s true! Dx
he looks a bit old but then again they can do a lot with make up etc. Love the eyes and pictures of him younger!
I don’t know how I feel about this. On one hand, he’s a really good actor, he’s hot, and his eyes are gorgeous, but on the other hand he’s old, he looks like he’s older than a teenager, and there’s just something not quite right. I have to ponder this. Of course I’ll still see the movie, now I’m just a little less excited. Alec was the only reason I was super hyped for this, and now eh…I’m sure it’ll still be a great movie, I’m just–i guess I’m just a little dissapointed. I let my hopes get too high, because I was really hoping they’d find someone just…perfect (which I know is silly). Maybe I just need a little more time to get used to him. But I am still incredibly excited for the movie, and I will definately be seeing it.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Kevin Zegers so I am super excited about this one. 🙂
Cassandra said on her twitter that when he auditioned he looked the age of 18 on camera ! And she said he has the right age for some one to play a 18 year old, or she just said she dosnt think he is to old, because the camera makes them look younger ! no need to worry 🙂
I think he’s perfect<3
He will make an awesome Alec!
OMG THIS IS THE BEST NEWS EVER!!!
Wait…you guys, Kevin looks young. Come on
No doubt hes a good actor, and handsome but he is 28 and Alec is 17. I’m worried because theres going to be six movies of the mortal instruments and they all are going to get older but have to paly the same ages.
but you never know, i was mad when taylor lautner was cast as Jacob becuase he was still skinny and small but BOY WAS I WRONG
I TOTALLY agree! I just dont see this dude playing Alec in four more years when He’s over 30!! No freaing way! now, of course they can change the cast in the next movie. Who knows?
It’s not about how old he looks it’s about how he portrays the role! Would you want some young bad actor how looks exactly like the actor you thought to play Alec do a horrible job? Or a good actor that looks a bit older?
Sara, I am pretty sure you actually CAN act as a little girl, but that does not make you the right (or the best) person to play it. I feel the same with Kevin, he is too old to have a bitchy attitude to clary or fall like a teenager does for Magnus. Did someone think about Godfrey?
Well, they’re probably only gonna make 3 movies, if the first one does well. Because, let’s face it, the young cast is around 30 or close to it!
Rebe I can see what youre saying but maybe don’t critique someone who hasnt even started filming the movie! You don’t even know what he will be like and your already full of doubts I don’t get your negativity
Cassie said on twitter that if the first movie is successful the producers discussed shooting the other ones back-to-back so the actors aging over the span of however many years it would take them to make all the movies is not a problem.
Alec is 18. Just sayin’…
In the first couple of books, he’s 17. But I think he turns 18 in City of Glass or something?
Remember Benjamin Button guys! If movies made Brad Pitt look younger than when he was in Thelma&Louise, they surely cam preserve our Zeggers-Alec as long as needed 🙂
Beyond happy… no words. Just looking forward to reading about who else is cast. 🙂
acting wise i think he’ll do well and looks he has got it, but they need to make him look younger
Well, you know…if Cassie’s happy with him, I guess I’m okay with it. 🙂
A lot of actors play younger roles! In reality how many people look older than their real age, or even younger? I for one always get mistaken for someone 5 to 10 years younger than my actual age.He’s got the nice blue eyes and an attractive face. I wonder if there’s a group photo of them all?
Well you are lucky. I’m 14 and usually get mistaken for 18 or 19ish.
I really want to know who the original actor was going to be for alec! But I really like Kevin and he will be amazing in the film!!!
The original actor that was to be cast as Alec was Ed Westwick. THR reported it and when asked on twitter, Cassie confirmed it.
I think hell be fine yes he a lil old but I really hate when they change actors in movie so if they make all six I hope the dont put other people in to play the parts that some1 else has already done
I hate that too!!! Because you get them in the image of the character they are playing in your head, and then, you have to get the new one into your head. I hate it!
OMG HE LOOKS SO FRIGGIN SEXY!!!!!!!!!!! Im happy and i know hollywood makeup can keep him young looking. he really doesnt look that old now. lets just stop doggin him about his age and be thankful we have our wonderful blue eyed shawdow hunter alec cast. Lets not make this another giant controversy like we did with jamie as jace. kavin can act. I, for one, am extremly Excited. i litterly screamed and fangirled when i found out. Gonna be an awesome movie ya’ll!!!!
and i agree with tara
Noooooooooo! I know I can not do anything with that, but I am disagree yet. Anyway, I will try to move on and wait the best. Keeping optimist…just let me cry by now.
eh if they can combine some books together like lemony snicket movie then they got a shot. Besides, the guy in Glee is over thirty and i seriously thought he was high school age
Noooooooooooo! They CANNOT combine the books >:O!!! NOOOOOOO
seems like they are already thinking about doing it, sorry
It hasn’t been mentioned anywhere that they want to combine the books, actually.
They will NOT combine the books, what a load of rubbish!
They are planing on shooting all movies back to back, like they did with LOTR. That way no one will age “drastically” or need a walking stick by the end of movie #6.
and the pictures they are showing here on this website are not what he looks like now, can you show recent ones so i can see if he still looks younger then he is
he is not. Recent pics don’t help him at all.
Check this out. It was posted at Just Jared in January 2012. I hope this helps.
http://www.justjared.com/2012/01/29/kevin-zegers-curve-appeal-fragrance-campaign-photos/
I didn’t want to react when this was still just a rumor but now that it’s been confirmed i am absolutely ecstatic! I think he’s amazing! He looks very young for his age. Like BPS i get mistaken for someone younger than my actual age. I’m still given student discounts.Anyway, i have to say THOSE EYES! He can give some serious eye-f-ing! I might be sore after the movie. Lol!
Well, the link does help. But I keep thinking on how he is gonna look with lily, jamie, jemima, I mean, he even could be Luke. It supposes he is just a year older than Jace. Anyway, I am just being cranky right now, I still think the movie will be amazing and he is gonna play a good role ¬.¬
Yeah I know how you feel. We all have our preferred actors. Remember how the whole TMI fandom nearly had a stroke when Alex P wasn’t cast? That was crazy! Lol!
Maybe Kevin just needs the extra years to fill the part of Alec. If you think about it, Alec is in fact older than the rest of the characters and should therefore be more mature look-wise. Kevin has to look eighteen; a man not a boy. Whereas the other teenage characters need to have more innocense and the baby faces
I think everyone is over re acted no actor is going to look the part.. i was completely pissed about the Magnus bane cast.. i wanted @shannon-kook soo bad but they i finally say he were getting a movie with a good cast of actors and a good director the the author is part of the project.. not many book series can say that im still waiting on #house of nights series to get a movies deal.. and # vampire academy so at this point im like Hell yea TMI fans were getting a movie and its going to be legit.. here’s hope they stick to the books as close as possible i could give a damn about the actors looks simply because with movie magic now of days they can do anything.. and for one im happy they didn’t cast anyone to well know already they started fresh.. give them some credit for that.. i trust cassandra clare she is not going to let them F.. her baby up lol… xoxo
Thank you for letting us know who the other guy was! I can relax now.
Everyone keeps talking about his age but on the vampire diaries paul wesley plays someone who is way younger then his age in real life. People look younger on the big screen
Yeah, exactly. Paul Wesley is 30!!! He plays a 162 year old teenager!!!! It doesn’t matter about their age!
It’s interesting. Aiden playing someone 10 years old and Kevin playing someone 10 years younger. Any way, let’s just hope the writers & actors do the book justice.
YES, YES, YES!!! Oh, thank God that it isn’t Ed Westwick!!! 😀
Kevin is PERFECT Alec (L), I can’t wait to see him in a movie with Magnus. :)))
I miss Valentine’s casting news. 😦
I’m excited about the cast and I can’t wait for the movie!!
WOOP!! We finally have an Alec!! I am not sure about him, but I won’t complain. At least he has blue eyes 😀
Im so excited to cant wait I think kevin will be fine n im glad he already has the blue eyes 🙂
People, who cares if he’s not your ideal version of Alec? (besides, appearance-wise, he comes a lot closer than some of the other actors I’ve heard about auditioning.) What’s important is that Kevin can bloody act! He’s incredible, and from what Cassie’s said about his audition, he GETS Alec. And about the age thing – it doesn’t show on camera. Haven’t you ever watched a high school TV programme? The entire cast is almost always late twenties or early thirties!
I, for one, am absolutely ecstatic that Kevin Zegers is playing Alec. He’s going to nail it. 🙂 x
I agree kevin will be great I like all the cast I think its perfect cant wait 🙂
That picture was of him a long time ago, Now he is just way too old for the part of playing a 17 year old, Even if he’s going to nail the part, the only similair thing between him and Alec is Blue eyes, He might be a good actor in most of his movies, But he doesn’t match the look in this movie, Just like Jamie doesn’t match Jace’s look.
the age isn’t killing me soo much, i think kevin and godfrey will look great together in the movie, which is very important but his height is killing me, 5’9 and Godfrey 6’4 (damn)
Wait, Ed was the first choice? :OOO
As Cassie said on her tumblr post, Kevin was one of the first actors to be approached to play Alec but his schedule didn’t work out. That’s when the role was offered to Ed Westwick, and when his schedule didn’t work out, Kevin was able to get the role cause his schedule had been cleared.
absolutely TOO OLD, and his role in Gossip Girl is really unappealing for fans of TMI, the photo reference here look far too young from his current look.
I love Kevin Zegers for Alec. He has the perfect look + he’s a great actor (which is always a plus ;), I have no complaints about him).