Lily Collins 'Grateful' For 'Mortal Instruments' Fan Support

Among the movie-obsessed here at MTV News, there is always a lot of talk about highly anticipated upcoming films. Naturally, the summer blockbusters garner their fair share of enthusiasm, but recently, a lot of talk has turned toward the much-buzzed-about book-to-screen adaptations of young adult novels such as "The Hunger Games" and "The Mortal Instruments."

Speaking to director Scott Stewart's adaptation of "Mortal Instruments," MTV News recently caught up with lucky actress Lily Collins, who will portray fan-favorite protagonist Clarissa "Clary" Fray, about what makes the film and book series so special.

"It's an amazing series of books," Collins gushed to MTV News at WonderCon. "Cassandra Clare's books are incredible. I'm a huge fan myself, so to be able to play the heroine I love is incredible. It's a story based on a young woman, an empowered young woman [who is] confident and determined, and she ends up surprising everyone with her abilities," Collins explained. "I think it's incredible for the story to be about a young girl and not one that is just a girl in the story. It really is her story."

Collins said she is incredibly excited and grateful to everyone who has offered their support of her landing the role.

"To have the support of Scott [Stewart] and Clint Culpepper at Screen Gems and everyone, it means a lot that they saw something in me from 'Priest,' " she said. "The fans have responded really, really positively, which is all you can ask for, because when you cast a heroine of a series of books that people are already fans of, if they don't necessarily see you in the part, that can be an issue, so I feel very grateful to them."

"Instruments" author Cassandra Clare has also issued her stamp of approval. "I love Lily Collins," she recently gushed in an online video.

What do you think of Lily Collins as Clary Fray? Tell us in the comments!

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