BUT they did, and here I am, talking about The Mortal Instruments yet again. WHY? Because the trainwreck (not Trainwreck) of a movie has been put out to pasture, and ABC Family has resurrected the book series as a new TV show, Shadowhunters. And yesterday, EW gave us our first official first look at Shadowhunters in some new set photos.
1. Clary and Jace in the City of Bones
Image Credit: (John Medland/ABC Family)
Let’s break this one down real quick.
Things that give me pause: According to EW, this takes place in the second episode. Correct me if I’m wrong, MundieMoms, but doesn’t that seem a little early in the narrative for them to be visiting the Silent Brothers?
Things I hate: That set looks like something out of House of Anubis on Teen Nick, a Belgian/British tween fantasy show … which is code for “patently unwatchable.” Did they get those bones from the House of Halloween pop up shop that takes over the abandoned World Market by Target in my neighborhood? Because dem bones look like they are Made in China™. #setdesignfail #CallJonGarySteeleSTAT
Things I love: Clary and Jace look like Book!Clary and Book!Jace. Congrats to Kat McNamara and Dominic Sherwood on being beautiful people. They look like a couple of thrown together teens here, facing adversity (albeit in a fairly well-funded neighborhood haunted house) but still looking hot. That’s what TMI is all about.
2. The Lightwoods
Image Credit: John Medland/ABC Family
Ok. Thoughts.
Things that give me pause: It’s kind of IDK … bright for a “rescue mission” scene. Please tell me that being on ABC Family doesn’t mean this show is going to be doe-eyed and bushy-tailed the whole time. I really want grit and sex and questionable parentage.
Things I hate: I didn’t like it in the movie, and I still don’t like it here. Those giant freaking Mr Sketch marker drawing runes. Why are they so BIG? Why aren’t they more impressive and tattoo-like? Why am I not turned on by seeing Jace’s neck runes? WHY does Isabelle have one in her cleave? Distaste.
Things I love: That is a very attractive cast. MUCH better looking than the original cast from the movie. Remember the movie? When Alec, the 17 year old gay Shadowhunter/warrior, looked like a math teacher who’d been windblown on his way to class instead of WARLOCK blown on his way to kill a demon? Yeah. This is better.
3. Warlock PartAYYYYY!
Image Credit: Sven Frenzel/ABC Family
Ooof.
Things that give me pause: What’s with all the Native American cultural appropriation on your walls, Magnus? The confetti on the floor and the standard event rental company farmhouse chairs are giving me the sads again, Production Design Person. This looks like it could be any Prom Gone Wrong scene on The Disney Channel. Again, I say ooof.
Things I hate: Clary’s confuzzled face. That’s twice now, Clary. In 66% of the official stills that have come out you look like something came out of your cat and you aren’t sure what to do with it.
Make that 100%
Things I love: Magnus is not being played by the model/actor from the movie. THANK THE ANGEL. But I also love Jace’s hair. In fact, I’m super into his hair in all the pics I’ve seen. Which is a nice change of pace *cough*JamieFraser*cough*
I love that these books have gotten re-worked for the small screen. Cassandra Clare is so prolific that the world of the Shadowhunters can go on and on for several seasons, bringing characters in and out and really being a great show for the fandom. Let’s just keep The Infernal Devices slated for Lionsgate or someone ok? I need to see Will and Jem being played by some handsome A-listers in cravats.
For more Shadowhunters, go check out shadowhunterstv.com for videos (like Jace doing pull ups) and twitter chats with the cast.
So … what do you think of the new Shadowhunters stills? What do you think of the books being re-worked for the small screen?
