Open Road Films is hoping to capture a little “Twilight” magic.
The newly launched distribution company has acquired U.S. distribution rights to “The Host,” the big screen adaptation of author Stephenie Meyer’s best-selling novel. Meyer, of course, is the writer behind the mega-grossing vampire romances.
“The Host” centers on alien invaders who take over the body of humans and control their minds.
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Based on that premise, don’t expect a retread of the kind of sexual repression and vampire and werewolf canoodling that made the “Twilight” movies and books such massive hits, but the Meyer name is gold with the Tween set.
The film version of the book will be directed by Andrew Niccol (“Gattaca”), who also wrote the screenplay, and will star Saoirse Ronan (“The Lovely Bones,” “Atonement”).
Open Road Films has set a March 29, 2013 release date for “The Host.” Principal photography is scheduled to being in February 2012 in Louisiana and New Mexico.
“The Host” producers are Nick Wechsler, Chockstone Pictures’ Paula Mae Schwartz and Steve Schwartz, and Stephenie Meyer.
Open Road, the AMC/Regal distribution company, was launched last spring as part of a move by exhibitors to help plug the hole left by the major studios’ decision to shave the number of films they release theatrically. Open Road plans to release 8 to 10 films a year.