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Andrew Niccol Adapting Stephenie Meyer's Novel 'The Host'

by Alex Billington
September 23, 2009

Now this is a very interesting combination of talents. Gattaca and Lord of War director Andrew Niccol has been hired to write a screenplay and direct an adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's first adult novel titled "The Host", which just hit bookshelves last May (Amazon). Producers Nick Wechsler, Steve and Paula Mae Schwartz have used their own money to acquire the screen rights. Apparently it was tough getting the rights. "We wanted Stephenie to be involved in the adaptation and have her endorse and be part of the creative decisions," Wechsler told Variety. Twilight has "proven she knows more about what works than most."

Meyer's novel is a love story (like Twilight) set in the near future on Earth, which has been assimilated by an alien species of benevolent parasites that call themselves "Souls." One such soul, the Wanderer, is fused with a dying human named Melanie Stryder, in an attempt to locate the last pocket of surviving humans on Earth. I haven't read the novel so I can't comment on it, but from that description it honestly sounds like a very intriguing kind of sci-fi novel (probably with lots of romance) that someone like Andrew Niccol or Alex Proyas would be absolutely perfect to bring to the big screen. I'm glad they got one of those directors.

The backstory is that Meyer has been fielding offers for "The Host" left and right (following the success of Twilight) and has been denying most of them. But the producers continued lobbying her and her reps "with a significant offer, a strong vision for the project and a collaborative spirit." Meyer eventually said yes to them. She was heavily convinced because two of her favorite sci-fi films are Gattaca and The Truman Show, which were both written by Niccol (and, as we know, Gattaca was directed by him as well). I still have a lot of faith in Niccol and will be looking forward to seeing what he does with this big adaptation. Thoughts?

Filed under Movie News, Opinions

From around the web:

Solo Dolo Polo

This is going to be amazing.
giraffic

I'm so excited for this! The whole time while reading the book, I thought about how awesome of a sci-fi movie this would be.
Fuelbot

Andrew Niccol will elevate this material like a God elevator.
janet

The book came out May '08 not '09. It's definitely interesting news and if someone could make it work it would be Niccol. I wonder what kind of time frame they have in mind and of course the actors they want.
Dim_one

#2 I'm with you!!! This is unbleviable!!!
Tra la la la la di da

Sounds like a hundred other stories out there. Meyers is such a hack. She just as a good publicist. Kids are idiots, simple as that. I love how people these crap books like Potter and Twilight but have read nothing else, meaning they never read where these stories were taken from.
laura

These are great news. This is not an adolescent’s movie, so I hope he will use experienced actors like: Gerard Butler (as Jared), Adam Baldwin (as Kyle), Thomas Haden Church (as Jeb), Neil Patrick Harris as Doc, etc. I will be great.
http://www.youtube.com/healingprophet Wood

Anything! Even look like becoming a remake movie or heading to the Big screen! I like to add my Gold Mind! Awesome potential! Great opportunity for a Redd Foxx Tribute in Sanford and Son “THE MOVIE” Youtube.com/healingprophet twitter.com/healingprophet
F.C.

I don't understand why these people are so keen on making this woman even richer! She loves self-insert in her novels, in an interview she actually called Bella from the Twilight series, I paraphrase, basically her upgraded version. And yeah, the name of the protagonist of The Host is too original... Melanie Stryder ... it is too similar to Stephanie Meyer, isn't it? Anyway, I love Andrew Niccol and his work, and I have faith him in. Maybe he can bring out something decent out of this train-wreck.
Sabes

I'll have to agree with #7, except about Harry Potter. I found those books good. Please don't compare her nauseating Twilight to those. Then again, I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. Let's see about this one.
SkaOreo

I won't hate on this like I would with Twilight, since I've never read Host. However I don't expect much in terms of quality from this from someone who wrote Twilight. But maybe the adaptation will be decent.
Xerxex

Mélanie Laurent, as well Melanie Stryder, wadda say? The picture on the cover looks somewhat like her.
Lacey

This was actually a really cool and interesting book, I knew it wouldn't be too long until they adapted it into a movie.
Kristen

I really enjoyed this book. I was hoping for a while now that it would turn into a movie. I feel if done right it could be awesome! While reading the book I envisioned these actors for the cast: http://www.k-rated.com/2009/07/host-cast.html
http://www.firstshowing.net/2009/09/23/andrew-niccol-adapting-stephenie-meyers-novel-the-host/ kirsty

HEY peoplz i cant wait for the host to come out hope they make it the same as the book so im your biggest fan stephenie-meyers
jeNiNe

whoa!! this would be so awesome.. can't wait!! but i hope it would be just like the book.!! =)