Stephenie Meyer’s “The Host” is currently in pre-production with filming set to start in spring 2011. In September 2009, producers Nick Wechsler, Steve Schwartz, and Paula Mae Schwartz used independent financing to acquire the rights to adapt The Host into a film.
Nick Wechsler said they wanted Stephenie Meyers to be involved in the adaptation and have her endorse and be part of the creative decisions. The Twilight films have proven Meyers knows more about what works than most.
Stephenie Meyer has said that she casts actors for the roles in her head when she writes. She stated that with “Twilight”, she felt the actors needed to be up-and-coming artists that haven’t been recognized yet. With “The Host” she thinks the lead actors could be A-List talent. She names Robert Redford, Ben and Casey Affleck, and Matt Damon as actors that she would like to see star in the film.
The Host was a #1 New York Times Best Seller, and remained on the list for 26 weeks, and also spent over 36 weeks on the Los Angeles Times bestseller list. This film is expected to be the first of three in a trilogy. The sequels will be titled “The Soul” and “The Seeker”.
Roles to be cast (numerous additional supporting and day player roles also to be cast):
[MELANIE “MEL” STRYDER] Female, early 20’s. Attractive, tall and athletic, naturally tan skin, long dark brown hair, and hazel eyes.
[WANDERER/WANDA] Female V/O. Invading soul that inhabits Melanie Stryder’s body.
[JAMIE STRYDER] Male, 14-16. shaggy black curly hair, chocolate brown eyes. Melanie’s younger brother.
[UNCLE JEB] Male, late 40’s – late 50’s. Wild beard, eyes the color of faded blue jeans. Melanie’s feisty eccentric uncle.
[JARED HOWE] Male, 20’s. Handsome, physically fit, tan skin, sienna-colored eyes, and sun-bleached hair. Melanie’s lover.
[IAN O’SHEA] Male 20’s. Handsome, pale skin, dark hair, and striking blue eyes.
[KYLE O’SHEA] Male 20’s. Handsome, pale skin, dark hair, and striking blue eyes. Ian’s brother, with nearly identical looks.
Principal Actor Casting
See the post titled Headshot and Resume Information regarding how to submit for acting roles.
Please submit for acting auditions by mail only.
No phone calls or personal drop-offs.
Los Angeles:
To Be Announced
Auditions will begin shortly.
Extras Casting
To be announced closer to the filming start date in spring 2011.
Production Company:
Do NOT send photos and resumes to the production companies (they will most likely end up in the trash can), they do not cast the films. They hire casting directors who sort through the thousands of submissions and hold the free acting auditions.
Chockstone Pictures
30 Folly Point
Gloucester, MA 01930
Nick Wechsler Productions
1437 7th Street
Stuite 250
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Producers:
Nick Wechsler
Steve Schwartz
Paula Mae Schwartz
Director:
Susanna White
Writers:
Stephenie Meyer (Novel “The Host”)
Andrew Niccol (Screenplay)
Starring:
To Be Cast
Story:
Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of their human hosts while leaving their bodies intact, and most of humanity has succumbed. Wanderer, the invading “soul” who has been given Melanie’s body, knew about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the too vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn’t expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind. Melanie fills Wanderer’s thoughts with visions of the man Melanie loves-Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body’s desires, Wanderer yearns for a man she’s never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love.