The final coffin nail was sealed on the Alex Pettyfer for Jace campaign after he signed on to Magic Mike and Overdrive. For me, it was over months ago, but no use opening up that can of worms again. Now, with Alex out of the way, we can consider other actors who could play the Jace Wayland role. Lucky for us, we don’t have to look far.
According to The Wrap, we have three top candidates: Jamie Campbell Bowers, Leebo Freeman, and Ed Speleers. As far as I’m concerned, only one name sticks out on this list and that’s Jamie Campbell Bowers. I only have one thing to say about Leebo Freeman – he has no acting experience. Conversation over, have a nice day. Next is Ed Speleers who starred in Eragon in 2006. Eragon was a mild hit, but where has he gone since then? Well, he played on a television show that lasted only one season called Echo Beach in 2008, but since then, has starred in two short films and the British horror flick, A Lonely Place to Die. Nothing against Ed, but I don’t think he’s ready for a project of this caliber. He just hasn’t shown me anything that would justify him in this starring role.
So, why should fans rally behind Jamie? Three words: Proven Acting Ability. In my humble opinion, this should really be the only factor to consider. His resume has shown his acting range in a wide variety of characters. He’s stared in Sweeney Todd, Winter in Wartime, and RocknRolla. You may also recognize him from the small indie franchises known as Harry Potter and Twilight. He’s currently starring as Arthur in the Stars network series, Camelot. He carries that series in a role that only a multifaceted actor could handle.
He’s worked with some of the most talented and well respected actors in Hollywood including: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Joseph Fiennes, Ava Green, Gerald Butler, Tom Wilkinson, Thandie Newton, and Alan Rickman just to name a few. You don’t get to work with people of that quality unless you can handle your own.
If we have to get into physical looks then he fits that too. Jace is described on many occasions as having the face of an angel. One of those mentions happened here in City of Glass: “To die? No one wants to die, Father.” The point of Jace’s sword slipped lower, and then lower until it was resting over Valentine’s heart. Jace’s face was calm, the face of an angel dispatching divine justice. Jace is further described as having a thin muscular build, blonde wavy hair, and golden eyes. Except for the golden eyes which can be achieved with contacts, Jamie matches up.
In closing, I’d like to say that we all have our own opinion of what Jace looks like. Lots of actors and models can come close, but is that really what you want? Are you looking for a talented actor or someone that looks like the Jace in your mind? If I had to choose, I’d take a talented, proven actor every single time. If you agree with me, let Jamie know he’s got your support. You can find him on Twitter. You can also spread the word by using the Twitter hashtag, #JamieforJace
Still not completely convinced? Watch the video below and hear what Jamie’s cast had to say about him in a recent interview.
On a personal note, I’d like to thank everyone who’s participated in my articles or has spoken about it on the Mortal Instruments message boards. Whether you agree with me or not, I am truly honored to be part of your discussions. You can find me on my website, the Young Adult Fantasy Guide or roaming the wild world of Twitter as: YAFantasyGuide
i love this article, you got it right, every single word!! we have to say farewell Alex and say very WELCOME Jamie!
stacy, he doesn’t look like jace I had in mind but I hope he gets cast beacuse this guy is an amazing actor.
oh and forgot to mention. I’m glad Alex pettyfer is out of the equation, atleast I don’t have to worry about that anymore.
Great article!!! I never heard of Leebo Freeman… now I know why. No acting experience! Looked up images of him, and my, oh my! He has some very provocative images O_O ! I’d thought of Ed Speelers in the beginning, but quickly dismissed him for the meer fact, that he didn’t meet my personal image of Jace. While Alex Pettyfer did, he proved to be a massive disappointment!!! While I’m still team Max Irons, Jamie Campbel Bowers would be a perfect choice! He’s has the acting experience you mentioned, he’s definately an angel in disguise, blonde, swoon-worthy, etc. Only thing missing, a little body mass (muscle), but that can be easily accomplished! Add some gold contacts… there’s our Jace!
He’s pretty much who I picture as Jace when I read those books.
Also he’s pretty.
my question is, are these men the top 3 or they’re just trying out? Leebo freeman has no acting experience whatsoever but he is still in being considered, Screen gems must’ve seen something very special in him.
I have no idea. I wrote the article with the assumption that they are, but no one will really know anything until SG makes a formal announcement.
I take it youve never heard of a breakout performance? Sure, Jamie is a good actor. So is James Cromwell. Why cant he be Jace? And Jamie is already associated with 2 huge franchises.
The article was written based on the assumption that these are the final three actors. I didn’t consider any other actors because it’s a comparison of the three that were mentioned.
Jamie was barely present in HP or Twilight so I really wouldn’t “associate” him with either. I only mentioned that he was in them to state a fact.
And yes, I have heard of a breakout performance.
I actually kind of disagree with this… I’m all for no Alex and have been for a long time… BUT…
I think Jamie Campbell Bowers looks somewhat girlish and/or not attractive enough to play Jace.
Leebo Freeman – after googling his pictures, I feel kind of scared because in certain ones he DOES have the right look … but I don’t want someone who merely has the right look… He’s a model, but is he an actor? That’s the important difference.
And Ed Speelers is the best out of these three choices. I think he would be able to handle the franchise and actually maybe not lose his mind as well as portray someone with a sensitive side but has had to become stoic.
Nothing against Ed, but he’s had 5 acting jobs in the last 5 years. Two of them were 15 minute films. I’m sorry, but I don’t think he’s had enough acting experience to handle a complicated role like Jace Wayland. I feel that Jamie is the right choice because he’s a proven actor. He’s been in a ton of movies playing lots of different types of characters.
As far as Jamie not being attractive enough, well that’s just silly. Jace looks different to everyone because the only person who knows what he looks like is Cassandra Clare. Keeping that in mind, the only priority in this casting should be: 1. Who is the best actor? and 2. Who has the best chemistry with Lily Collins?
All the rest doesn’t matter in my opinion.
I think he’d make a great Jace.
I definitely think he could pull it off. And really, it does come down to the acting ability, not whether or not he looks like the perfect Jace everyone sees in their minds. What matters is whether or not he can come across right on screen as the character we all love, and I think Jamie can pull it off. In other words, I totally agree with you!
p.s. love your site! checked it out after Books of Wonder and added it to my long list of bookmarked pages on my laptop.
Thanks, I’m glad you like my website! I had such a good time at Books of Wonder. NY is amazing and I got to meet my two favorite authors. 🙂
welcome 🙂 and yes, I will definitely be looking forward to any future events there. I love NY, and meeting Cassie and Holly and Lauren made it that much better.
All three of the actors mentioned have nice looks. I agree that Leebo Freeman just doesn’t have the resume for a project like this. I would be happy with Ed or Jamie, but I’d like to toss another name out there. What about Hunter Parrish? He has the looks…his body is to die for! He also has worked in the hit show Weeds for years, giving him a lot of experience.
Ed has had 5 jobs in the past 5 years and two of them were 15 minutes short films. Nothing against him, but I don’t think he’s had enough acting experience to take on a complicated character like Jace. Did you see Eragon? He wasn’t that great. Now, I do realize he filmed that early in his career, but he’s done very little since then. As far as other actors go, the article was written based on the actors named. I have heard of Hunter, but people said he’s too old. If they made all 6 books into films, he’d be well into his 30’s by the end.
I have been supporting Jamie on my blog and my twitter since I found out he was trying for the role of Jace. I think he is perfect. Excatly what I pictured Jace to be. May I reprint you on my journal? With full credit of course…
Yes, you can. 🙂
Thank you very much….I loved the article
I really liked this article but my pick is Ed Speleers.
He is a good actor but just hasn’t done anything huge. He is very handsome and fits the looks of Jace the best.
I feel as if Jamie has too many things going on… I mean he already plays in Twilight AND Harry Potter… and Camelot. He is a great actor but I believe he is to thin and not very good looking to play the character of Jace for the Mortal Instrument Movies. I don’t think Jamie has the looks of an “angel” at all and I pictured Jace a little more muscular.
But again… this is my opinion. 😉
Proven acting ability isn’t everything, with Jace it’s going to be 50% looks, 20% athleticism, and 30% acting. Jamie is the WORST looking of the 3 (though I pray to GOD they are testing more than just these 3 guys)! His looks are not angelic or attractive, he’s nearly bordering on girly. Speaking of girly, that kills the athleticism needed as well. He looks so frail he good break in a stiff wind, so being able to look strong, warrior like, and much like an avenging angel is out of the question! Go to IMDB and read the boards, to the collective mind of fans, he does not hold the charisma and looks needed for Jace. Cassandra knows what she had in mind when she wrote him, yes, but it’s just not her idea of what Jace looks like that matters because there are millions of us out here holding the ability to make or break this movie by box office attendance and it’s quite clear that Jamie is NOT what the public wants.
Agree. 😉
Sure Jamie is a good actor but of the movies ive seen of him, hes barely in 10 minutes of actual screen time. But honestly dont pretend looks doesnt matter, of course it does. And Ed has both the looks and ‘okay’ acting, out of the three i think hes the best choice. And we all have a little picture of Jace in our mind and i think Ed pulls that off more than the other two.
Jamie Campell Bower ruined already CAMELOT for a lot of people, and if you check the different polls, he is the least fan favourite.
He is too feminine for Jace and simply the worst choice many MI fans can imagine!
NEXT!
I totaly agree.
I really don’t know these actors except for jamie, so I would say nothing about the two. But for JCB, yeah, I think you’re right. He has something a lot to give for that has proven. Otherwise, he won’t be with those good movies.
having only 5 films doesn’t means that he couldn’t act….
i’ve watched Eragon and Ed Speelers did it well (even if the movie messed the book a bit)….
yes, Jamie is attractive but i agree with the previous poster…..Jamie is too girly for Jace…
sorry, everybody has different opinions 😀
I agree, Jame would be a great Jace! I know some people disapprove of him for having the wrong ‘look’, but I honestly don’t think anyone would please everybody. Jamie is a great actor… he had the voice of an angel, too, back in Sweeney Todd. That’s one of my favorite movies. Anyway, I’m a new follower– glad to have found your blog. Your content is amazing!
Thank you! 🙂
WOW! you people are harsh, not to mention presumptuous and judgmental. *eyes erin*
I was expecting a mixed reaction when I wrote the article. Everyone has a different opinion of what Jace should be. For me, it’s about acting ability. Jace is such a rich, complicated character. You need an experienced, talented actor to pull that off. Otherwise, the character doesn’t work.
Experience doesn’t always mean great or best choice. Look at last years crop of Oscar nominees, a lot were virtual unknowns but did such an amazing job they were actually nominated. Also look at those with incredible abilities and where they started. Kirsten Dunst was a complete nobody, a bare 12 years old when she was given an immensely complex character in Interview with a Vampire and Reese Witherspoon was given the lead role for her first film when all she did was try out to be an extra. Talent does not go hand in hand with experience, therefore saying Jamie deserves the role of Jace solely based on experience does not an arguement make.
why is the experience such a big deal with you people?
its not going to be a heavy drama film….it’s an action film with romance….hahaha…lol…and besides, there were actors who won awards even if they have just a li’l bit of experience…..we need a talented actor NOT an actor that is only based to experience….
for me, Alex P. is the perfect one for Jace…..
BUT since he is too loaded already, my choice will go to Austin Butler….Austin is a hot guy and because ACTING EXPERIENCE is a great deal to you…i think Austin is a good choice 😉
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honestly, the three of them were not really the ONE for Jace….
but if they were really the one who is considered for the role of Jace, my choice will go to Ed Speelers.
Ed Speelers is the lead star in an action packed fantasy film (Eragon) just like the upcoming City of Bones movie….
sorry, Jamie’s looks is kinda feminine…..maybe he will be great if he’ll be Alec or Magnus 😀
No drama? Are you kidding me? Did you actually read the books?
Jace Wayland is a very complicated character. An actor has to be able to shift from cocky to tortured to sweet to violent in like 2.3 seconds. That’s not easy and not every actor could do it. That’s where experience and training come into play.
Alex P – that’s laughable. The guy didn’t want to role and yet some fans hold on for dear life on the hope that he will be Jace. Let it go. Why would you want someone who doesn’t want you? They offered it to him but he’d rather play a stripper in a low budget indie film. What does that say? It means, he has no passion for the role and doesn’t deserve our support.
Lastly, Jamie is not feminine. He is crazy sexy as Arthur on Camelot right now.
I’m kind of appalled at how rude some people are. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I think Jamie will be great for Jace.
I agree with Erin Marie. Especially this, “Talent does not go hand in hand with experience, therefore saying Jamie deserves the role of Jace solely based on experience does not an arguement make.”
I’m extremely against JCB being cast as Jace. He’s already starred in TWO major franchise and add him to to another? NO THANKS! IF he was cast not many people would go and see the movie. He’s a “familiar” face now so he wouldn’t bring in the teen girls, who haven’t read the books, to come and watch, therefore not making the movie a success. Do you want that to happen? People want a “fresh” face, an unknown. It worked for Twilight and HP so why not TMI?
People would always remember him as Caius in Twilight or Gellert Grindewald in HP, or Arthur in Camelot. Not Jace in TMI. He’s not attractive either so he wouldn’t appeal to the masses to actually want to pay to watch him on the screen. So many fans don’t already want him or like him, so it could ruin the movie if they boycott it. /end rant
I refuse to believe that they were the ONLY three candidates left to vie for the role.
I’m not going to get into it about this because each person can have their own opinion, but I will make a few points.
1. Talent does go hand and hand with experience because he wouldn’t continue to get acting jobs if he couldn’t act. He’s the only actor listed that has worked on a consistant basis.
2. No one associates him with either HP or Twilight cause he’s in those movies for like five minutes each. If he was a main character then I’d agree with you, but he’s not by a long shot.
3. As far as him not being attractive well that’s just stupid.
4. People don’t go to movies to see one actor in one role. They go to see a movie cause they’re interested in the movie. If fans don’t see the movie because they don’t like an actor then they’re not real fans. I am a fan of Cassandra Clare and her amazing series. I will go to see it regardless of who they cast. Anyone who says different is an idiot.
Exactly, everyone is entitled to their opinion, so why cant we distribute how we dislike Jamie for Jace?
You can debate it all you want.
I’m glad for Alex that he has removed himself from this mess (at least I hope so) but I hope for the fan’s sake that it isn’t Jamie. He’s awful. I thought he was OK in Sweeney Todd, but I had to stop watching Camelot because of him. It’s bad enough that TMI is being directed by the worst director since Uwe Boll, Jamie’s girlish posturing would kill it.
I think the desition shouldn’t be made solely on acting skills/experience, for this character looks is almost as important.
I don´t say Jamie Campbell Bower is not good looking but Jace should be the hottest guy. Imagine JCB cast against Logan Lerman as Simon, or even Darren Criss as Magnus who looks way more attractive and manly, it just wouldn’t make any sense. That Jace wouln’t be “The Nuclear Bomb of boyfriends”. I don´t care about Pettyfer but I would like to see someone as hot on screen. The kind of hot that makes you wonder if you would debase yourself by embracing the ultimate forbidden love.
well, looks like ACTING and experience is important.
This is a direct quote from Cassandra Clare. If you are a TRUE fan of TMI then you will support HER and HER choice. I’m sick of all this negative crap. You’re not casting directors, you’re fans. You don’t know what they saw or how they see it. Here is the real deal and if you don’t like it then don’t call yourself a fan:
“He [Jamie Bower] auditioned with Lily, and he and Lily had incredible chemistry that sort of blazed off the scene. I’m just sitting here watching this on my computer, and you know, he was not the only person they’ve ever sent me to look at. I’ve gotten lots of headshots and this and that, and I’m watching the audition and I literally started crying because that was my Jace and Clary on the screen.”
– Cassie Clare Interview via fuckyaclaryfray
Mellon nin, I love you. Finally someone who has managed to point out to people that Jamie is a good choice for Jace! I completely agree with you on all accounts!