Stephenie Meyer's 'Host' zeroes in on male leads

With the start of the finish around the corner for "The Twilight Saga," author Stephenie Meyer is turning her focus on the casting look for "The Host," Andrew Niccol's feature adaptation of her sci-fi novel. Saoirse Ronan ("Hanna") is mounted on star as protag Melanie Stryder, whose is penetrated by an alien named Wanderer, who may also be performed by Ronan. Within the future, producers will start testing stars for that pic's two male leads. Liam Hemsworth ("The Hunger Games"), Package Harington ("Bet on Thrones"), Jai Courtney ("One Shot") and Max Irons ("Red-colored Riding Hood") will test for that role of Jared, Melanie's boyfriend. Dane DeHaan ("In Treatment"), Thomas McDonnell ("Promenade"), Augustus Prew ("The Borgias") and Ronan's "Lovely Bones" co-star Mike Abel will test for that role of Ian, a menacing youthful guy who brutalizes Wanderer before falling deeply in love with her. Chockstone Pictures principals Steve Schwartz and Paula Mae Schwartz are creating with Nick Wechsler and Meyer. Inferno's Marc Butan, Jim Seibel and Bill Manley will professional produce, while Roger Schwartz will co-produce. "The Host" has been funded through the producers and Inferno, that is handling sales. Contact Shaun Sneider at shaun.sneider@variety.com