‘The Host’ Filming in N.M.

It may just follow in the footsteps of the “Twilight” and “The Hunger Games” phenomenon.

“The Host”, which is adapted from Stephanie Meyer’s best-selling science fiction/romance novel of the same name, is filming in and around Albuquerque, Farmington and Shiprock. Production will wrap up in a couple weeks. The film also shot in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, La.

The film follows 20-year-old Melanie Stryder, played by Academy Award nominee Saoirse Ronan.

Stryder lives in the not-too-distant future in which unseen parasite invaders — or aliens who are known as “souls” — are taking over people’s bodies. She refuses to give in when she is captured, but retains many of her human memories and fights the parasite for control.

According to the New Mexico Film Office, the production has employed at least 45 New Mexico crew members and 10 New Mexico actors.

Ronan has starred in “Hanna,” “The Lovely Bones” and “Atonement.” She earned an Oscar nomination for the latter.

The film also stars Max Irons, Jake Abel, Diane Krueger, William Hurt, Frances Fisher and Boyd Holbrook.

The film’s director is Andrew Niccol, who has written and directed such science-fiction movies as “In Time” and “Gattaca.”
— This article appeared on page C01 of the Albuquerque Journal