Imaginary Casting

I have a mailing list over at Google Groups where we discuss all kinds of fun things about the Mortal Instruments books — characters, plot surprises, fanart, favorite and least favorite scenes, whatever. One of the things that surprised me about the group was that the absolutely favorite topic always seemed to be Imaginary Casting, or the topic of “if there was a movie, of City of Bones, who would you want to play the characters?”

Now, I personally, do not actually have an answer for this question. First, because I feel like anyone I pick will become the Official Choice for Said Character and I want people to be able to visualize the characters how they want to, and not in the image of a particular actor.And second because now that there’s the possibility of a TMI movie being made some day, if they wind up casting someone who wasn’t on my list of choices (which is very very likely) I’d always feel bad, like that person knew they weren’t my first choice. Not that it matters what I think, but still!

That said, I get asked this question so very often — “If there was a movie, of City of Bones, who would you want to play the characters?” — that I decided to put up a page with some of my fans’ most prevailingly popular picks for the actors they would like to see in the various parts.

These aren’t my choices for actors. These are the fans’ choices and they are just for fun. Nothing official here!

So:

Clary.

Lots of people like Alexz Johnson for Clary. I admit, I had never heard of her before. She’s very pretty, though!

Since the TV show “Castle” started airing, Molly Quinn has also become a popular choice:

Jace.

Well, everyone likes Alex Pettyfer for Jace, and that’s fine by me. He does have impressive hair.

Lots of votes for Garrett Hedlund for Jace. I can see why!

Simon.

For Simon, Kristopher Turner is a popular suggestion. Just draw some glasses on him mentally, I suppose.

Another popular choice is Josh Zuckerman from Kyle, XY:

Alec.

Lots of love for Gaspard Uliel, another someone I had never previously heard of. I can see why, though. He looks suitably prettily depressed in most of the photos I’ve seen of him. I think he has blue eyes, too.

Isabelle:

I love Summer Glau. She is beautiful and tough and can kick butt, as we have seen in Firefly. One of my favorite suggestions!

Magnus:

Mario Maurer is a great suggestion that came up onlist. He is half Asian, like Magnus, and seems to have no problem wearing rings and glitter on occasion. :)

Daniel Henney is another suggestion I’ve liked (don’t know what he would look like in glitter, but I’m sure it would be fun to see!) :

Luke:

Lots of love for Ewan McGregor. Well, and why not. He has a regular-guy quality that is Lukeish.

Maia:

I’ve gotten lots of suggestions for Maia. Not that many of them suggest a biracial actress, though and the character is biracial. I like Jurnee Smollett — she’s super cute.

Valentine:

For whatever reason, the most popular pick for Valentine is Viggo Mortenson. I guess he can manage an icy stare …

Raphael.

Diego Luna. Right, he’s got nothing better to do with his time. :D Well, what the heck, it’s imaginary casting anyway.