Movie Fanatic interviewed the director of The Host, Andrew Niccol about what attracted him to the project.

Movie Fanatic: Lastly, I interviewed Stephenie Meyer when she released The Host. I told her I would really love to see this as a movie and she said, “I don’t know how it would be done. It would have to be one special filmmaker.” What are your thoughts as you’re diving into adapting it and bringing it to the screen?

Andrew Niccol: I love the subversive nature of this movie. I don’t know why aliens are always portrayed as the enemy. I love that in her book maybe they could be better for our planet. They could co-exist with us. Do you realize right now, there is more bacteria in you and me than there is us. We already co-exist with other species. So, from their point of view, they would ask, “Why are you so individualistic? Why are you all about self?” We can co-exist.

Read more movie news at: http://www.moviefanatic.com/2011/10/in-time-exclusive-director-andrew-niccol-talks-new-film-adapting/#ixzz1bzcsWGH5

While doing PR for his current film, In Time director Andrew Niccol, The Host director and screenwriter commented briefly on the project.

The next thing you’re working on is The Host, which you’re adapting. What is the process when you’re working with original material vs. adapting a pre-existing novel?

NICCOL: This is the first time I’m going to be directing someone else’s story and it’s quite liberating actually because I don’t have to make it up. It’s there. It’s very freeing. If you write and direct it, it’s all your fault. There’s no one you can blame.

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Screenwriter and director of The Host, Andrew Niccol, talked to his hometown paper the New Zealand Herald about his current project , In Time, and his next one, The Host.

His next project will be as director and writer of The Host, adapting the best-selling novel by Twilight author Stephanie Meyer about aliens inhabiting human life forms.

“It’s a liberating feeling that I’ll be directing something I haven’t had to make up. It’ll be fun. But I have to say, Stephanie gave me her 650-page book to adapt. That’s a workout to start with but I’ve managed to get it down to a script and there are two more movies coming after the initial movie,” he says. Clearly, he enjoys a challenge. “Well, yes. At first I thought, ‘this is going to be impossible’.”

Stephenie Meyer has always said that she envisioned The Host as a trilogy: The Host, The Seeker, The Soul

According to Variety, Producers Nick Wechsler, Steve and Paula Mae Schwartz have used their own money to acquire screen rights to The Host and Andrew Niccol will write the script and direct. There is no timeline currently associated with the project that has been revealed at this time.

According to Variety, “The trio wanted to make a science fiction film and fixed on The Host…The producers continued lobbying the author and her reps at UTA and The Writers House with a significant offer, a strong vision for the project, and a collaborative spirit. Meyer eventually said yes.

In fact, Niccol first came under consideration after Wechsler and the Schwartz’ asked Meyer her favorite science fiction films, and Gattaca and The Truman Show were in her top five. Niccol wrote and directed Gattaca and scripted the Peter Weir-directed The Truman Show. ”

According to Nick Wechsler, “We wanted Stephenie to be involved in the adaptation, and have her endorse and be part of the creative decisions, Twilight has proven she more more [sic]about what works than most.”

Let the speculation begin! Who would you want to be Ian, Jared, Wanda and Melanie?