Movie Monday #22: Alec and Magnus’ relationship in CITY OF BONES

We are less than a year away from the theatrical release of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones and the hype for the adaptation of the internationally best selling series by Cassandra Clare will only continue to grow as the release draws nearer.

I’ve banded together with other Mortal Instruments fansites (TMI Institute, Mundie Moms,TMI Examiner and TMI News en Espanol) for a weekly feature called Movie Monday.

Each Monday leading up to the August 23, 2013, release of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, we will take a look at a scene, moment, detail, etc. and give our opinions on how we think it will be interpreted in the big screen adaptation.

Week 22: Alec and Magnus’ relationship in CITY OF BONES

Alyssa, TMI Source: No doubt fans are beyond excited to see Alec Lightwood and Magnus Bane come to life in the big screen adaptation of THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS: CITY OF BONES. But of course a lot of that excitement has to do with their relationship. I expect the film to remain true to the book in the terms of Alec and Magnus’ relationship–or lack thereof  at least in CITY OF BONES. It’s not until CITY OF ASHES when we first get the beautiful Malec scenes we all know and love.

Magnus’ role is very limited in CITY OF BONES. In the book we pretty much only see him when Clary, Jace, Simon, Alec and Isabelle go to his party. There is a mention at the end of the book that Magnus went to Alec and healed him after the attack by Abbadon. Perhaps that’s a scene that they will add in the film and give us a tease of what’s to come with their relationship in CITY OF ASHES.

Amber, TMI Institute: We all know how important it was to Cassie to have the relationship between Magnus and Alec preserved for the big screen. It was one of those sticking points she held her ground with and fortunately the studio was absolutely fine with the relationship being a part of the storyline. In the books we only see the first inkling of a spark between Malec in City of Bones. Alec’s sexual preference is something he keeps secret, and honestly it’s something I think he is scared to admit to himself. Magnus is very open about his orientation and flirts a bit with Alec.

I’m not sure yet just how far along they will progress a relationship between Alec and Magnus for the first movie. I’d assume it will progess throughout the franchise. Since an important plot in the film is Alec’s jealousy of the blossoming relationship between Jace and Clary, I’m thinking that most of the movie will be more focused on Alec defining his feelings for Jace. However, I am very interested to see if there will be a sweet Malec moment by the end of the movie.  I think everyone will fall in love with this couple and will crave more Malec for City of Ashes.

Katie, Mundie Moms:  What Magnus and Alec have in City of Bones is complex. Here you have Magnus who’s obviously very sure of himself, and I mean that in a respectful way, as he’s been around for forever. He knows who he is, and he embraces it. He’s confident. He doesn’t hide from himself or what he is. Then you have Alec he’s just the opposite. Sure he’s confident in his abilities as a Shadowhunter, but he’s hiding his true self. I like that contrast between him and Magnus. They’re so different in so many ways, and yet there’s something about the other one that draws them together. I also felt like Magnus could always see through to who Alec really was at this point in the series, and see the potential in him, and who he grows to become as the series progresses. I can not wait to see Magnus and Alec on the big screen. I’m really looking forward to seeing what Kevin and Godfrey bring to their characters. 

Natalie, TMI Examiner: I don’t think we’ll see too much from Alec and Magnus’ relationship since they only met in ‘City of Bones.’ Like the books, I think their relationship will develop with each film. I am hoping to see them have obvious chemistry when they meet at Magnus’ party. Hopefully a shared look, something that can show us the relationship to come. When they meet is one of the many moments of this film that I’m expecting fan squealing in the theater! 

Tita, TMI News en Español: Alec and Magnus (aka Malec) has turned one of the most beloved couples in TMI series, but, in the first book we don’t get to see a lot of this relationship, I guess we’ll start to see a few looks between them, or maybe a few comments that will give the audience a hunt about what is about to come, but thinking about it I think is all we’ll get in the movie, as it happens in the book, unless they want to start it earlier and we’ll see something extra that does not happen in the books, but it happens in the extra content (Malec first kiss?) well, well, to dream is for free, isn’t it? 🙂

What are your thoughts? How excited are you to see Alec and Magnus on the big screen? And do you think their relationship will remain true to the first book? Join in on the discussion!

Check back next Monday for the next edition of Movie Monday.