Following a weak box office for The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, Constantin Film has decided to delay the already greenlit sequel City of Ashes.

What’s more: Sources tell The Wrap that City of Ashes may be canceled all together.

UPDATE: In a press release, Constantin says that the decision to “postpone the start of principal photography” was made so they can “analyze the results to date and reposition the franchise in order to maximize the results for future installments.”

The news is significant, as Sony/Constantin were so confident in City of Bones’ box office potential in May 2013 that they decided to green-light the sequel ahead of the first film’s opening. Stars Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell-Bower, and director Harald Zwart were all set to return for the second movie. Production was scheduled to begin next week, and in July Sigourney Weaver had joined the cast as Imogen.

Since its August 21 opening, City of Bones has made $37 million worldwide (Update: Constantin claims Box Office Mojo is wrong and the film has actually made over $70 million). With a budget of $60 million and the added promotional costs of which there were many because the cast embarked on a world tour, Sony and Constantin ended up with a loss on their hands.

The studio likely made the decision because of the aforementioned loss, and the fact that the sequel would likely do even worse at the box office since the first one didn’t take off.

It’s a sad day in the Shadowhunter world. Do you think the film should be made still? Was your opinion on the franchise swayed after seeing the movie?