While author Stephenie Meyer first made her name with the Twilight book series (which of course has now become a tween film sensation), she doesn’t just write about teen vampires and werewolves. Meyer also penned The Host, a sort of modern Invasion Of The Bodysnatchers type story set in the near-future, when humanity has been assimilated by a species of alien parasites that call themselves ‘souls’. One of these creatures, known as The Wanderer, is fused with a dying human called Melanie Stryder, in an attempt to locate the last pocket of non-assimilated humans.
Initially Meyer was resistant about turning the book into a movie, although according to Variety it looks like money talks, as she’s now accepted a significant offer from producers Nick Weschler, Steve Schwartz and Paul Mae Schwartz for the movie rights to her book. The author will retain some control over the direction of the film, and was apparently wooed not just by the cash, but also the producers’ strong vision for the project and their collaborative spirit.
Possibly the best news however is that Andrew Niccol, writer/director of Gattaca, Lord Of War and the upcoming Orlando Bloom sci-fi flick the Cross has signed up to write and direct the movie. He’s the perfect person for a film like this, as he’s extremely good at making interesting movies with a bit of a philosphical sci-fi bent.
As yet there’s no news on when they’re hoping to get the film adaptation of The Host into cinemas.