The Host film adaptation gets its two male leads

Andrew Niccol's (Gattaca, In Time) adaptation of Twilight author Stephenie Meyers’ alien invasion story The Host, has offered roles to two young male actors. Jake Abel (The Lovely Bones, I Am Number Four) is negotiating for the part of Ian, one of the remaining rebel humans who still control their own mind and are fighting against the 'souls' that are slowly taking over the world.

Saoirse Ronan (The Lovely Bones, Atonement) is already on board to play the central character Melanie Stryder, whose emotions and memories overwhelm the 'soul' known as Wanda implanted in her mind. This causes them to blend and Wanda chooses to seek out human contact instead of following her race’s master plan.

Jeremy Irons’ son Max Irons (Dorian Gray, Red Riding Hood) will star as Jared, Melanie’s love interest in the story. A number of actors were up for this role including Kit Harington (TV’s Game of Thrones) and Liam Hemsworth (who stars in the upcoming films The Hunger Games and The Expendables 2). The Host is due to start filming in February 2012.