Fans cast Stephenie Meyer's 'The Host' film
Posted by Naybeth Díaz | Labels: news, The movie | Posted On Saturday 24 October 2009 at 20:29
Thanks to the examiner we bring you this:
Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series books (Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn) aren't her only best-sellers - as you well know. Her book, The Host, also claimed top marks on the charts (and for good reason).
The Host follows the ninth life of "Wanderer," a "soul," who makes her way to Earth for the first time as a human being. Her host body, though, becomes a strange thing for Wanderer because the human soul of Melanie, the body, refuses to disappear and make way for her own cognitive control.
Wanderer and Melanie form an indescribable (though thoroughly described by Stephenie Meyer, of course) bond through this experience, and Wanderer seeks out those who Melanie (and vicariously Wanderer) loves. Her experience amongst those individuals - particularly the characters Jared, Jamie, Ian, and Jeb - is the crux of the story, and Wanderer's challenge is to keep Melanie "alive" during her incorporation into the group.
In September, the news came out that this book was, like most of Meyer's other books, going to be made into a film. After the initial reports, Meyer expressed an interest in what fans would have to say about potential castmates for the future film. Despite the unending excitement going on in the Twilight film series world, many fans have been putting together their own set of suggestions for that very thing.
The characters which are most ardently discussed by fan-casters are, naturally, Melanie, Jared, Jamie, Jeb, and Ian.
Actors thrown into the hat of suggestions for the character Melanie are (and this is not an exhaustive list, of course) Sophia Bush, Megan Fox, Camilla Belle, Olivia Wilde, Summer Glau, Milla Jovovich, Natalie Portman, Amanda Peet, Evangeline Lilly, Rose Byrne, Eliza Dushku, and Jodi Gordon. A common trait amongst some of these women is the sense of strength and toughness that Melanie Stryder embodies in the book.
For Jared, the consensus is pretty strong amongst the fans that Jensen Ackles should play the part, but other suggestions also linger such as James McAvoy, Jesse Metcalf, Benjamin McKenzie, Jared Padalecki, Hugh Jackman, Chris Pine, Matt Damon, and Chris Evans (with a few Gerard Butler and Jeffrey Dean Morgan pluggers along the way). The thing about the character Jared is that he has to be fierce and ruthless at times, but he has to also be a softy deep down.
With Jamie, the casting is especially fun because he is a character that is young, curious, tolerant, independent, and exceptionally wise and kind. He is also the character that Melanie (and by association Wanderer - "Wanda," by then) has the deepest affection for. Some suggestions have included Logan Lerman, Josh Hutchenson, Allan Hyde, and Justin Bieber.
Perhaps it's his gun-toting, thick-skinned, brute-but-lovable character resume, but Sam Elliott, to most, is a pretty perfect fit for Jeb. Jeb's character is the sly and authoritative protector-type who speaks when necessary and is the first to put his foot down (or his gun in the air, as the case may be). Other suggestions have included Harrison Ford, Hugh Laurie, and Willie Nelson, but Elliott seems to hone in on the Jeb-ness pretty universally where fans are concerned.
Ian, on the other hand, is a character that brings in suggestions from across the entire board. While there are quite a few who contend that Ian Somerhalder is a good match for the character, Chace Crawford, Christian Bale, Sean Faris, Henry Cavill, Marc Blucas, Tom Welton, and, once again, James McAvoy are all actors that have been fan-vetted for the role.
Where there are a host (pun clearly intended) of other roles at play in the fan-casting fun, these are some of the major ones at issue in the fan community.
Oh, but the fun certainly does not stop there. Not only are fans creating their fantasy Host teams, many have also created fan-made trailers for the film as well as movie posters. Here are a couple that are really great.
sophia bush would be PERFECT for melanie!!!
Donald Sutherland is the PERFECT Uncle Jeb. Sam Elliot wouldnt be bad, but really think about it and you'll see what I mean. He is straight forward, has the posture, manorisms, and ability to pull this off in his sleep. Not to mention he is the perfect look. Its almost as if Stephenie had him in mind all along while writing this book. LOL. I think Eliza Dushku would make a good Mel/Wanda, BUT even though she can play the part extremely well one thing would always be lacking...Intensity. The charactor has loads of it and Eliza just cant keep it held in any movie Ive ever seen her in. As for Ian, he is written as a larger guy and all the fans are picking twig figures. It will never work! LOL! I sooo hope there is more caution and thought taken into the describtion of these charactors before they are casted. :) I am IN LOVE with the book and finished it in less then 2 days. Then couldnt fathom the reality of being done with it so picked it right back up and read it again. LOL I cant wait for the sequel novel or the movie but am soo leary of the possible disfigurement that may come with the movie that its stressing me out. LMAO!! I have faith in Stephenie though and look forward to time passing quickly...LOL!
Benjamin McKenzie for Jared!!!!
Evangeline Lilly is the perfect actress for Melanie!! Looks so young but strong just like melanie does, and Jensen Ackles for Jared