Kevin Zegers talks appealing fight sequences in ‘THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS: CITY OF BONES’
Collider caught up with Kevin Zegers at the Mortal Instruments press junket at Comic Con on July 19, where the actor dished about the fight sequences, including the highly-anticipated Hotel Dumort scene.
With a lot of these types of movies, guys talk about being dragged by their girlfriends to see them. What would you say to guys who are wondering if this movie would appeal to them, at all?
ZEGERS: When I saw it, the fighting stuff is what I was most excited about. We got to do all of our own fighting stuff. We had the same stunt coordinator who did 300, so we’re talking about real fights and not fake swords. These are real fight sequences with real stunt guys who pushed us really hard. We all had to work really hard. It was like shooting two movies – one to tell the story, but the other one was the training, and getting into physical shape, and looking like we were killers.
Was this one of those situations where you went into the training thinking, “I can do this,” and then you end up getting your ass kicked?
ZEGERS: I never thought I had it. I knew I could physically get there, and I knew I could train to get my body there, but the fighting stuff is a whole different thing. Learning a 300-style fight sequence is like learning a 10-page monologue. Every move is coordinated, and it can all go bad, very quickly. I was terrified, and I still am. But, when you finally get it and are able to do it yourself, it’s the best feeling in the world.
Is there a fight sequence that was the most difficult, but also rewarding?
ZEGERS: Yeah, there’s the ass-kicking climax scene at the Hotel Dumort, where we fight the vampires. We shot that for like a week and half, and every day, we had four different cameras going. But, it’s me and Jamie, fighting next to each other, back-to-back, and simultaneously doing things. It’s not just in on our faces, so that you can’t see what’s going on. It was good to feel like we were doing it together. When it all came together, at the same time, it was super cool, and it looks great on film. And it’s boy stuff. As a guy, I was like, “This is the stuff I thought about doing when I was a kid.” I was running around, doing back flips, and killing demons.
TMI Source 
So freaking excited!!!!!!!!!!! 😮 😀
the TMI series is one of the few YA books I’ve read that I sincerely think guys would love. Especially if they are into urban fantasy.
SO FREAKING EXCITED.
The fight scenes, and the demon slaughtering is what sucked me into the TMI world in the first place.
When I was a kid I used to jump up-and down on my bed doing kicks, I used to save the white polyester packaging that comes with new technology gadgets and smash it into oblivion. I would sit with my dad for hours on end playing lara croft. Why? Because I adore action and fight scenes!
The first time I watched the trailer and realized that Izzy and Alec go to the hotel I was horrified, like, major annoyed because of the deviation. But then, it hit me like a tone of bricks; THIS means that a gang of Shadowhunters actually take-on the vampires instead of the wolves!
In short, I absolutely cannot wait for this film. I am currently re-reading City of Bones for the second time (the last time I read it was in 2010) and I’m getting more and more hyper!
I know hand on my heart that these movies are going to be utterly amazing. The actors (each and every one of them) are brilliant. The material is superb. And the story, including the book and the changes in the movie, is stunning.
This is nothing like Twilight or HP or the Hunger Games, it is better. There I said it, and I mean it. Girls and boys alike are going to fall in love with it, and I sincerely hope that the producers (or whoever is in charge) makes all 6 books into films.
Sincerely, a girl that speaks on behalf of all fans!
very well said my friend!
Well bra-friggin-vo, mate.
cant wait
The funny thing is I’m a guy, and I’m taking my girlfriend to see City of Bones on August 21st :p She wants to read the books because I’ve been telling her to read them forever, but she wanted to see the movie before… she’s a huge reader though… she might start City of Bones soon, hopefully!
love it and oh kevin how i love you , but yet it does to appeal to the boys who like action but i would say one who likes actions or a mix of genres like me! and it’s awesome that tmi has guy fans!