Variety reports that Meyer’s novel is a love story 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.
Andrew Niccol will write the script and direct. [He] first came under consideration after Wechsler and the Schwartzes asked Meyer what her favorite science fiction films are. Gattaca and The Truman Show were in her top five; Niccol wrote and directed Gattaca and scripted the Peter Weir-directed The Truman Show.
Interestingly, a story from MTV today about the upcoming film hearkens back to April 2008, when Meyer told MTV News what her dream cast for The Host would be: “With The Host, I think the actors could be really big names,” she said. “That would be cool. I’d love to see Robert Redford put on a beard and be Jeb; he would be amazing. … Matt Damon has some very Jared-esque qualities, and then [I’d love to see] Casey Affleck as Ian and Ben Affleck as Kyle. Imagine the interplay.”
Considering that Wechsler told Variety, “We wanted Stephenie to be involved in the adaptation and have her endorse and be part of the creative decisions,” we just may see her dream become a reality! Keep it here for more on The Host as it comes.