Harald Zwart thrilled to return for ‘MORTAL INSTRUMENTS: CITY OF ASHES’

When it was announced last week that The Mortal Instruments: City of Ashes would go into production in the fall, fans were thrilled at Constantin Film’s eagerness to begin working on the sequel four months before The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones hits theaters.

Fans were also excited that Harald Zwart would be returning to direct City of Ashes.

Zwart, who spoke with several Norwegian reporters, said moving forward with City of Ashes before City of Bones even hits theaters shows a lot of confidence on Constantin Film’s part.

“That the producer and studio begin on a sequel before the first has had a première, meaning they feel convinced that the film lives up to the expectations we have created in this important audience, and then some. That I have had an opportunity to do the sequel, is something I’m both proud and grateful for,” he told Aftenposten.

Zwart is thrilled about returning for the sequel and excited about the possibility of establishing a franchise.

 “To be allowed to participate in establishing a franchise , which they call the series of films, is something most people dream of, but few get the opportunity. So I am very excited about the opportunity I now have,”  he told f-b.no.com.

The fact that Zwart had Cassandra Clare’s stamp of approval might have helped land him the sequel, according to Simon Eriksen Valvik.

“She used the time to explain how important it was to her that it was Harald who was directing,” he told vg.no.com.

It’s not yet known if Geir Hartly Andreassen, who served as cinematographer on The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, will return for City of Ashes.

“I want to have him on the next well. But it’s early in the process, so we have not come that far yet. I do not even know if he can, he is a sought-after photographer,” Zwart told Aftenposten.

“Right now I’m about future jobs dealer. Nothing is decided yet,” Andreassen told Aftenposten.

Zwart talked about Andreassen’s decision to shoot The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones on 70mm film.

“We chose the movie because it gives much better film on the silver screen than digital production,” Zwart told Aftenposten.

Also on the City of Bones front, Zwart said there will be a premiere in his hometown of Fredrikstad in Norway before the film’s Aug. 23 release.

“Of course it will premiere in Fredrikstad! It ensures I always to be included in the contracts. And the producers and the actors love it,” he told Aftenposten.

Zwart’s wife Rosaleen Zwart, who he said helped negotiate his deal, will also serve as executive producer on The Mortal Instruments: City of Ashes, according to vg.no.com.

All Norwegian translations via Google translate and Bing translate.