The-Mortal-Instruments-City-of-Bones-UK-Quad-PosterWith just a couple of months to go, Sony are gearing up to release The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones on the big screen, bringing what could well launch a new franchise for the young adult audience.

Since the conclusion of The Twilight Saga last year, we’ve seen Beautiful Creatures fail to live up to the hopes that Warner Bros. had no doubt pinned to it, with the film just about recouping its budget. And it will be interesting to see how The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones fares as a potential franchise-starter.

We’ve got a little over two months left on the calendar before the film hits cinemas, and now a new trailer has launched over on MSN, giving us an action-packed look at what’s to come.

Set in contemporary New York City, a seemingly ordinary teenager, Clary Fray (Lily Collins), discovers she is the descendant of a line of Shadowhunters, a secret cadre of young half-angel warriors locked in an ancient battle to protect our world from demons. After the disappearance of her mother (Lena Headey), Clary must join forces with a group of Shadowhunters, who introduce her to a dangerous alternate New York called Downworld, filled with demons, warlocks, vampires, werewolves and other deadly creatures. Based on the worldwide best-selling book series.

Lily Collins stars as the young female lead, Clary Fray. And she’s joined by a great ensemble, led by Jamie Campbell Bower (Twilight), Lena Headey (Dredd 3D), Robert Sheehan (Misfits), Jonathan Rhys Meyers (Match Point), Jared Harris (Mad Men), Kevin Durand (Smokin’ Aces), and Kevin Zegers (Gossip Girl).

Harald Zwart (2010’s The Karate Kid) is directing from a script by I. Marlene King (Pretty Little Liars) and Jessica Postigo (the upcoming Tarzan), based on the original novel by Cassandre Clare.

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones will be released on August 21st in the US and UK. Here’s the latest trailer to set the mood.