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Stephenie Meyers' Ditches 'The Twilight Saga' for 'The Host'

By: Erik Davis on September 23, 2009 at 4:01PM Comments (43)

As a novelist, naturally, Twilight author Stephenie Meyer has worked on more than just a handful of teen-centric vampire novels. And now that her Twilight Saga has turned into a giant fangirl-tastic franchise, Hollywood is looking to cash in on whatever else the gal has up her sleeve. That "whatever else" just happens to be Meyer's first adult novel, The Host, which was picked up by producers Nick Wechsler, Steve and Paula Mae Schwartz, all of whom used their own money to nab the screen rights. Andrew Niccol (Gattica, Lord of War) will write the screenplay.

So what's The Host about? Well, sadly it has nothing to do with the 2006 Korean monster movie of the same name. Nope, instead, Meyer's book is a love story set in the near future on Earth where a species of altruistic parasites have assumed the control of the minds and bodies of most humans, with the exception of one feisty chick named Melanie Stryder – who refuses to surrender her mind and body to an alien soul named Wanderer. Thus, together, Melanie and the sympathetic Wanderer set out to find the last surviving humans, who include a fellow resistor named Jared.
 
Reviews of the book are quite positive, and of course it leaves itself open to a sequel or another Meyer movie franchise. Niccol is an exceptional science fiction writer, and I could see him doing some fun things with a wacky story like this.
 
Have you read The Host? Do you think they'll convince Kristen Stewart to star? Sound off below…

Comments (43)Leave a Comment

  • Oct 1st 2009 12:09PM

    tripymoviebuff  said...

    I recommended this book for my family Book Club and none of them were excited about reading it. Once they started everyone of them couldn't put it down. So excited they are making a movie!! We have been thinking of characters to play the parts ever since our book club discussion on it.

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  • Sep 28th 2009 7:47AM

    daddysgirl46  said...

    Krsten is out of her league on this one. This is a complicated story line wih complicated characters. She doesn't fit the bill.

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  • Sep 27th 2009 8:44PM

    loriloo  said...

    Kristen stewart ruined twilight for me. I hope they dont put her in the host.

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  • Sep 27th 2009 12:13PM

    deano01  said...

    I loved The Host, but I don't think that the main theme of the book translates well to "screen" media due to the fact a majority of the information part of the book takes place in Mel/Wanda's head. These kinda of mental interactions play out very well in print but are very hard to portray on screen. On a side note I think Kristen Stewart would be a terrible Melanie.

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  • Sep 27th 2009 12:35AM

    EtherealDarke  said...

    "The Host," was such an amazing novel. I pretty much finished it all in one sitting because it was that great! In a way, I'm a little bummed that this is going to be a movie... because movies are often not as great as the books.. and I think "Twilight," kind of proved that. But, then again, someone might do this book a great justice. I kind of hope they don't put big stars in this movie.

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  • Sep 26th 2009 5:35PM

    princessgirl_1  said...

    I am a TWILIGHT fan to death, and even more of the author. I have read The Host and I think it's an excellent novel; it's full of intrigue, heart warming moments, just as suspense, mistery and even action (Stephenie Meyer style of action). I would not imagine Kristen Stewart in this role, when you read the description of Mel you can't imagine her. The perfect person would be someone like Jessica Biel, she has that sporty, tough but still handsome look that Melanie has.

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  • Sep 26th 2009 3:12PM

    yarie79  said...

    the book was ok it left me wanting more it's missing action so i can't wait to see how the movie will turn out

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  • Sep 26th 2009 3:02PM

    J. W. Coffey  said...

    If there's a God/dess, they will NOT get Kristen Stewart for that movie. That child couldn't act her way out of a wet paper sack. Granted, Bella is a bit whiny, but Stewart plays her on one level and that whiny stammering gets boring very fast. She is the LAST person that should play Melanie.

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  • Sep 26th 2009 1:39PM

    mcfan19902009  said...

    I love this book! I just finished it in less than a week. Stephenie Meyer's books capture me with all the suspension, and this is different from anything I've read! I am very excited to see the movie!

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  • Sep 26th 2009 12:41PM

    Autumn_sMommy  said...

    Okay, when I first read The Host, I couldn't get in to it very well, but I was coming off of the high of just reading the Twilight books for the first time. After I re-read it a couple of months later, I realized that I actually thoroughly enjoyed the book. The storyline is actually really great, but you have to read it after you take a break from Twilight first or it pales in comparison. Anyway, as far as Kristen Stewart playing Melanie - I have to agree with most other people - Kristen Stewart is definitely not Melanie. I think Megan Fox would be pretty great as Melanie because she has the right personality for it, and she's really pretty. For Jared, I see someone like the guy who plays Brody on OLTL.

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  • Sep 26th 2009 10:02AM

    mackenzie51230  said...

    I loved The Host. This is yet another show of what Meyer's is made of. I have to agree Kristen Stewart is not Melanie. While Kristen is an excellent actress she is not who I picture Melanie to be. I'm thinking more along the lines of Kat Dennings. I think she could bring to this movie all that the book entails. A mix of her attitude in House Bunny mixed with her sensitivity in Nick & Norah is exactly what Melanie consists of. I can just see her punching James Franco when he kisses Wanda. That's just my opinion. I could be wrong.

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  • Sep 26th 2009 9:23AM

    lisaandbeto1  said...

    If they put Kristen in it, that will kill the movie! She needs to stay with Twilight and that it! That'll be too much Kristen! I think she's doing fine in Twilight. I have "The Host", but not read it yet..... So, I will start on it as soon as I'm finished with "Paper Towns".

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  • Sep 26th 2009 9:19AM

    legolver  said...

    I beg you you, do NOT cast Kristin Stewart in this movie...for the love of all that is holy and good in this world....

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  • Sep 26th 2009 9:06AM

    P1Snowflake  said...

    I've read and love The Host, I actually liked it more than the Twilight series. You just gotta get through the first few chapters that, although not very interesting at first glance, set up the background for the entire story. This book was left open at the end for a sequel, so we can only hope and crave for more. As far as it being a movie, any fan knows we've had our fantasy cast in mind in hopes of it hitting the big screen for a while. However Kristen Stuart is not on that list, but Vampire Diaries and Lost star Ian Somerhalder would make an amazing Jared. As for Melanie, she's described as being tall and skinny but strong, so who knows. If you want proof of the fan base, just check out all the fan created "trailers" on YouTube.

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  • Sep 26th 2009 10:15AM

    mackenzie51230  said...

    I have to agree with the Ian as Jared comment. He does look like he could fit the part but I still like James Franco for the part, too. That's a toss up but definately not Kristen Stewart. She is Bella. I don't think it would be wise to make her Melanie. I'm going to have to stick with Kat Dennings for that roll.

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  • Sep 26th 2009 9:01AM

    lilbit_kim  said...

    Host is a fantastic sci-fi novel and I am very happy to hear it will be made into a movie. I love how the book portrays both sides "good vs. evil" if you will, but shows that somewhere in the middle is the correct line to stand. It needs an actress that is developed enough in her craft to play two characters in one, but I leave that to the casting director. I will be happily anticipating the movie.

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  • Sep 26th 2009 8:41AM

    Lewis Luck  said...

    The Host was fabulous! It was seriously hard to get started, but once you hit page 100, you are hooked! I am excited for this novel to be turned into a movie and if Kristen Stewart stars in in, I will NOT go see it. Zoey Dachanel is my pick for Melanie. She is fiesty!

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  • Sep 26th 2009 4:50AM

    darkstardanes  said...

    If they are true to the book, this would make a spectacular movie! But, HELL NO, on casting Krystin Stewart. She's a horrible actress! Doesn't fit the role anyway.

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  • Sep 25th 2009 8:41PM

    amoremorte616  said...

    Like mentioned, if they keep the main focus on the struggle of the soul, not the romance, then it should be great. But the marketing will be key. Just because there are zillions of teen Meyer fans doesn't mean that all her work should be polluted by media for the movie directed only at the younger age group. The Host is of course fine for teens, and fine for audiences NOT in their teens. But what I mean is that they need to take it seriously, and make a true sci fi flick from it. Dont cop out on the already formed fan base of Meyer's and try to convince the parents of said fan base (I'm talking majority here, I know plenty of over 30's Meyer fans) that this film would entertain them.

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  • Sep 25th 2009 8:07PM

    Debarre  said...

    I have not read The Host so I can not give an opinion about it as a movie. I think Kristen Stewart could play any role that is put in front of her. Personally, I would like to see her in a romantic comedy or murder mystery since she has done so many of the major dramatic roles. No doubt she would be great in it though...she is very flexible in her characters and has great range. We have to remember that she recently turned 19 years old and I do not know the age of the character.

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  • Sep 25th 2009 7:58PM

    Jayne13  said...

    Host is a fantastic book - takes a while to get into it after reading the Twilight Saga - hopefully, since it's an adult book, the movie will add the depth needed to not be a "teen" sensation. Definitely worth the read. As a Sci-Fi fan since the age of 16, this novel exudes the twists and turns of what a futuristic Earth could look like without the ravages of war - the inner struggle of human nature to survive. So looking forward to this movie and impatiently waiting for Stephenie to write the sequel so I can follow Wanderer, Melanie, Jared, and of course, the beloved Ian and they struggle to surive here on invaded planet Earth.

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  • Sep 25th 2009 7:44PM

    wallacephoto  said...

    I think Milla Jovovich would be perfect for this.

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  • Sep 25th 2009 7:29PM

    cfesler  said...

    I enjoyed the book myself as I enjoy science fiction. Would want to see someone else do the lead in it though. I like her as Bella though. Whoever gets the lead, I will love seeing the movie! I thought the whole time I was reading this book that if it was done right, it could make one awesome movie!

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  • Sep 25th 2009 7:29PM

    Misty11  said...

    This was a fantastic book! I truly enjoyed the Twilight Saga, but it has been great to explore more of Stephanie Meyers work. I hope she writes a sequel, because once again she created characters that were worth getting to know. And as much as I like Kristen Stewart as Bella, it would be wrong to ever consider casting her in this role, she does not at all fit the characteristics of Melanie/Wanderer/Wanda

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  • Sep 25th 2009 6:24PM

    1twilightfanatic  said...

    Love Kristen Stewart, but ready to see someone else! It wouldnt make much sense to put her in another stephanie meyer project, since she's already got one of the biggest role these days, as Bella Swan. I say put in a new comer. Someone we havent heard of yet. Then again Zoey Deschanel might fit the part. BUT, I am all for Robert Pattinson! haha! Cant wait for this movie. I think it will be great. Stephanie Meyer is a genius!

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