Niccol Will Not Direct 'The Host'

hollywoodnews.com: “The Host” will never measure up to “Twilight”, no matter who directs it, and particularly when the director who is chosen was second choice. Andrew Niccol of “Gattaca” and “The Truman Show” directorial fame was thought to be the shoo-in for the job since he worked closely with Meyer on the script, but recent reports say that Susannan White, not Niccol, will be taking the job.

Some say Niccol turned down the role because he is busy with plans to direct another upcoming sci-fi thriller, “Now”, but other factors suggest he may have simply abandoned Meyer’s project. For one, “Now” is reported to be in post-production already (which indicates that “The Host” could be feasible for Niccol to fit into his schedule). More importantly, “Now” is much farther ahead of “The Host” in terms of predictable success, with A-listers Amanda Seyfried and Justin Timberlake supporting a cast headed by Olivia Wilde.

“The Host”, however, is all talk, no action. Despite a spring 2011 filming start and a noted 2011 release date, the film is still in casting with not a single player confirmed. Meyer is reported to have named Robert Redford, Ben and Casey Affleck, and Matt Damon as stars she would like to see in her film. Yet, this seems like a long shot given the lukewarm reception of her book.