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'Mortal Instruments' and 'Last Apprentice' Vying for Alex Pettyfer

by Ethan Anderton
January 31, 2011
Source: Vulture

His breakout role in DreamWorks' adaptation of I Am Number Four doesn't hit theaters until February 18th, but young British model turned actor Alex Pettyfer is already a hot commodity in Hollywood. Last week came the news that Screen Gems had offered Pettyfer the lead male role in their adaptation of The City of Bones, the first book in Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series. However, we're glad to have held off on that news because now Vulture reports Warner Bros. may have pulled Pettyfer away from that project by offering him the lead role in The Last Apprentice, a young adult novel by Joseph Delaney.

Known in the United Kingdom as The Wardstone Chronicles, the series begins with Revenge of the Witch and tells the story of a teenage boy training to be an exorcist in the 1700's. We'll let the official synopsis explain a little more clearly:

When 12-year-old Thomas, seventh son of a seventh son, is apprenticed to the local Spook, whose job is to fight evil spirits and witches, he expects a life of danger. However, the boy doesn't realize just how soon he'll face a powerful enemy alone, as Mother Malkin escapes her confinement while the Spook is away. Thomas is forced to use his wits, and the help of his enigmatic new friend, Alice, to fight the evil witch. And defeating her is only the start of the boy's problems.

Sounds somewhat interesting already (obviously the age of the boy will be changed to suit Pettyfer's age range), but even more enticing is the talk that Jeff Bridges is circling the role of Spook while Jennifer Lawrence (from Winter's Bone) might be taking the role of the evil witch. Put these three together, and I'm definitely excited about the project. And for now it sounds like The Last Apprentice is the project Pettyfer is more excited about as insiders told Vulture that a deal for Mortal Instruments is unlikely. The reason seems to be that although Pettyfer loves Clare's novels, he loves Delaney's stories even more. Apparently that and the chance to work with Mongol director Sergey Bodrov is also weighing heavily in his decision.

On the other end of the spectrum, Screen Gems already has its lead character for Mortal Instruments cast since we found out Lily Collins (The Blind Side, Priest) would be leading the project. There's no mention of Scott Stewart in the references to Pettyfer's consideration of the project, but we're assuming the Priest director is still on board to direct. If you want more information on the storyline for Mortal Instruments read our previous report on the project here. For now, I'm hoping Pettyfer, Bridges and Lawrence come together for The Last Apprentice if only to keep fantasy going strong in the cinemas. How about you?

Filed under Casting, Movie News, Opinions

From around the web:

mrswinchester24

NOOO! Down with Last Apprentice! He must play Jace! Mortal Instruments is fantasy also!
Zoe

Totally agree with you, mrswinchester24! Mortal instruments is fantastic! And Alex is the perfect choice to play Jace! I cant imagine anyone else as Jace!
Anonymous

I'm afraid I'd rather see him play Jace Wayland on "The Mortal Instruments", because he fits so perfectly for that character. And Alex Pettyfer is able to play difficult and complex characters and show all the different sides of Jace !
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000026680486 Simona Marie Nicita

Nope!! he has got to play Jace!!!!!!!!!!!
Lisa

What is this Last Apprentice talk? Forget it! Alex Pettyfer fits the Mortal Instruments world much better.
http://twitter.com/TeamBella76 Sita

I'm sorry but if I were him I would take the Last Apprentice. He seems to love it more and I hate to say this but the Last Apprentice books were amazing and better written.
Jericho

ooor, lets have him play neither.....seriously, whichever movie he will be in he will simply be compared to Twilight whores
- Anonymous
  
  Actually I don't care to what or whom any actor or movie might be compared to ! Everybody might compare anything he/she likes to! I just wanna see cool movies (like "City of Bones") with my favourite actor or actors ! If it makes people happy, they can compare anything to "Twilight" or "Jumper" or whatever!
kristine

I have to agree with the majority of the posts here. I would prefer him to play Jace. He has been the fan favorite for the years, and the fact the studio actually listened to the fans and offered him the role is amazing. I don't know anything about Last Apprentice so I am probably biased- but still, look what happened to the last movie about witches and exorcism set in medieval times (season of the witch)- it was a huge flop. I know MI is already being compared to twilight, but having read both they are actually very different. MI is more action oriented than romance driven.
Applesandbananas

I can understand why Alex would like the Last Apprentice more, it seems more like a guy fantasy and probably has a more complex character to portray but I really hope he listens to his fans! It seems like the character has to be butchered in order to let Alex play the role and that's not fair to the devote fans of that series. Jace wouldn't have to be changed at all and Alex wouldn't have to change for Jace. I already picture Alex and Jace as one person because he is so perfect for the role. It would be awesome if he could do both!, It would mean a lot of work on his part but It seems like a solution. I really need Alex to play Jace!
- Pfhhhh
  
  Thank you! I hate it when the just kill the charecter some a certain actor can play them.(Ahem: Percy Jackson!) I haven't read the Last Apprentice but the secound i saw 'twelve year old' i was very upset. I have read the mortal instruments and i just want to say: PLAY JACE!
Anonymous

Yes, if it is possible to schedule the shootings so that he could do both movies, that would be the most perfect option. If not, I still rather see him as Jace !
J.S

From the Lorien Legacies to the city of bones series.... if these movies are successful an make sequels it seems in the next few year Alex will have his hands full.
KarenO

Will you TMI fans just STFU! You're plaguing the internet with your whiny comments. I like the series too but I'm not begging for him to play it as most of your are even I too see him as Jace but if it's not going to happen then it's not going to happen. I'm glad Alex is using his brain here. The last thing you want to do is do what someone expects you to do. Everyone expects him to play Jace that's all the more of a reason to rebel out of it and not do it all. It's crazy how the TMI masses think that just because they envisioned Alex as being the only Jace that all will get their wish. It's not your choice it's his. Somewhere deep down he may not do it even if fans want him to could slyly just pick the Apprentice role instead.
- http://twitter.com/jabajaws18 Paula Angus
  
  He better suits the role of Jace though. His previous movies have shown that, and, as said above, they wouldn't have to alter the role for him. Plus TMI is more accessible to fans, and potential fans, as it is set in modern times rather than way in the past. Fair point that he will do what he wants to deep down, but thinking about it, it makes more sense..
RTYEUH

ALEX MUST PLAY JACEEE!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mirandagonzalez18

Omg he needs to play jace thats all I have to say
Guest

I have read all books, Alex HAS to play Jace, i mean he looks just like him, acts like him and everyone loves him! The last apprentice is pretty good but they could get any other actor to play the role. I dont know what Alex is thinking, but he will go down and will be disliked if he chooses to play the last apprentice!, 99.9% of his fand voted for city of glass!!!
- Anonymous
  
  First of all, the first book is "City of Bones". But maybe, he could play both roles. When the schedules haven't been changed, the shooting of "City of Bones" was expected to start in April. “The Seventh Son” (that is the movie title of “The last Apprentice” / “The Spooks Apprentice”) is scheduled to be shot starting in August in South Africa.
Themortalinstruments75

No he has to play jace he's perfect for him. Also he's cute. Come on. Alex has to play jace. I lOve the book and I really like him so those to together would be out of this world for me. He NEEDS to okay jace. I Wanna cry now. :'(
Anonymous

I'd still like Alex Pettyfer to play Jace, since he's the perfect choice ! All the other movies mentioned with his name like "The Seventh Son" are off the agenda for him now anyway. A problem could be that he obviously signed to do two other movies, 'Overdrive' which will be shot this spring (i.e. starting within a short time), and 'Magic Mike', which will be shot probably starting in August. That means, if he should play Jace, the production for "City of Bones" couldn't start before fall. And somehow I am under the impression that unfortunately Screen Gems seems to turn to other actors, since they seem to be unable to comply with the wishes of the majority of the fans.