LOS ANGELES-- Best-selling author Stephenie Meyerjoined stars Saoirse Ronan, Max Irons and Diane Kruger in Los Angeles on Tuesday night for the premiere of "The Host."
Directed by Andrew Niccol, who also wrote the screenplay, the highly anticipated film is the next epic love story from Meyer, the creator of the "Twilight Saga." The sci-fi, romance film tells the story of an unseen enemy that threatens mankind by taking over their bodies and erasing their memories. Saoirse Ronan plays Melanie Stryder, who will risk everything to protect the people she cares most about - Jared (Max Irons), Ian (Jake Abel), her brother Jamie (Chandler Canterbury) and her Uncle Jeb (William Hurt), proving that love can conquer all in a dangerous new world.
"When I really decided to do it, it was solely based on the script and the character and the people involved and that kind of stuff," explained Ronan, when asked whether the shadow of the "Twilight" films had caused her any concerns about taking on the role.
"I was certainly aware that there would be a lot of attention around us. For me, it was fine and it was very much about the story."
Author Stephenie Meyer, who told Reuters that she very much wanted Ronan for the lead, hopes her "Twilight" fans keep an open mind about the new film.
"I'm not sure, I think if they go into it wanting a repeat of "Twilight" they probably will not be thrilled, because it is not," said Meyer.
"It is a very different kind of story. I think if they are willing to go onto a new ride with me and try out something a little different then I think they will really like it. I think there is a lot more to this story, I think this a fuller story."
As for pressure, director Andrew Niccol had the task of drafting the screenplay from the best selling novel.
"Well even with the size of the book at 650 pages, which you have to turn into a 120 page script, I was sweating blood to get it down to the size of the movie. I thought that maybe it would have to be two movies. But, I got it down to its fighting weight."
"The Host" also stars Jake Abel, Francis Fisher and William Hurt.
It opens on March 29.