Who is Harald Zwart? Get to know the new director of ‘City of Bones’

Who is Harald Zwart?

The new director of the film adaptation of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones is no doubt a hot topic amongst the fandom, so let’s get to know the man that will be bringing Cassandra Clare’s beloved Shadowhunter world to life on the big screen.

Harald Zwart’s Resume

Born July 1, 1965

From the Netherlands

Known for:

• The Karate Kid (2010)
• The Pink Panther 2 (2009)
• Agent Cody Banks (2003)

Zwart hit it big directing the remake of The Karate Kid, which grossed $359 million worldwide.

Zwart has no experience in the fantasy genre and City of Bones will be his first.

What we do know about Zwart is that he made quite the impression on Mortal Instruments author Cassandra Clare.

While Clare admitted in an interview with Hollywood Crush that she was initially a bit worried about a director with no fantasy experience, she raved about Zwart’s vision, curiosity and passion about the project.

“Harald is awesome,” Cassie told Hollywood Crush via email. “I flew to Los Angeles to meet with him and with [producer] Robert Kulzer and [screenwriter] Jessica Postigo. Harald has more energy than anyone I have ever met. He wound up not being able to join us till about 10 at night ‘because of Vikings’ (I think this was a commercial he was filming), but when he did show up he had every single question in the world about the story and the characters. We spent an hour talking about Portals and another hour on Valentine (he is a huge fan of Valentine—maybe I should worry).

“He was an interesting unexpected choice for director to me, and initially I was worried because I kept asking, ‘Does he understand fantasy?’ but talking to him really evened out those concerns. He got the magic, and he got the characters. There was even a moment where he was talking about Magnus and he said, ‘And then Magnus meets this woman…’ and Robert, Jessica and I all said : ‘Boy.’ And he said, ‘What?’ And we said ‘Boy. Magnus is gay.’ And he stared like we were crazy and said, ‘I KNOW. I was only going to say he met this woman and she hired him to help him with her daughter! Of course Magnus is gay.’ And he waved his arms and yelled ‘Magnus is fabulous!’ So I thought, ‘I like you.’”

Zwart has got Clare’s seal of approval. Does he have yours?

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