Andrew Niccol

Teaser Trailer for Adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s THE HOST [Updated with Hi-Res Images]

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: March 22nd, 2012 at 2:57 pm

The first trailer for the adaptation of Twilight author Stephenie Meyer’s sci-fi novel The Host has gone online. This is the very definition of a teaser trailer, but the lack of footage isn’t exactly unexpected given that the movie’s still filming and doesn’t come out for over a year. I’m not sure what all this glowing eye stuff is about, but I’m sure those who have read the book can fill me in. In the world of the film, a parasitic alien species is nearly finished wiping out the human population by taking over the consciousness of each person. A soul named Wanderer is attempting to take control of Melanie’s (Saoirse Ronan) consciousness, but faces strong opposition by what remains of the girl. I’m a big fan of writer-director Andrew Niccol‘s work and Ronan is a killer actress, so I’m quite intrigued by the project as a whole. I’m not exactly sure what the point of releasing a trailer this early was, but I’m sure we’ll get a better look at the film later this year (in front of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2, perhaps?). If you missed them, check out the first images from the film here.

Hit the jump to watch the trailer. The film also stars Max Irons, Jake Abel, Diane Kruger, William Hurt, and Frances Fisher. The Host opens on March 29th, 2013. [Update: We've updated the article with four hi-res images from the film]

First Images from Andrew Niccol’s Adaptation of Stephanie Meyer’s THE HOST

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: March 21st, 2012 at 5:22 pm

The first scans of images from Andrew Niccol’s (Gattaca) adaptation of Twilight author Stephanie Meyer’s The Host have gone online. The first trailer hits tomorrow, even though the film doesn’t come out for another year. In the world of the film, a parasitic alien species is nearly finished wiping out the human population by taking over the consciousness of each person. A soul named Wanderer is attempting to take control of Melanie’s (Saoirse Ronan) consciousness, but faces strong opposition by what remains of the girl. Though I’m wary of anything by Meyer, I’m a big fan of Niccol’s work (even In Time had its moments) and he’s assembled quite a cast.

Hit the jump to check out the images, which feature Ronan, Max Irons as one of the male leads, and Diane Kruger as the villain/alien president. The Host opens on March 29th, 2013.

IN TIME Blu-ray Review

by Scott Wampler    Posted: March 9th, 2012 at 6:30 am

Over the years, Andrew Niccol has proven himself to be a more-than-capable director of commercially risky films interested in the idea of “identity”.  More of than not, these are sci-fi films (in the cases of Gattaca and S1m0ne), but sometimes they’re borderline dark-comedies (as in The Truman Show and The Terminal) and sometimes they’re just the second-best thing Nic Cage has done in ten years (Lord of War).  Niccol’s latest film—In Time—seeks to turn Justin Timberlake into the star of an action/sci-fi hybrid.  Does he pull it off?  Should you pick up In Time on Blu-ray?  Find out after the jump, folks.

Diane Kruger in Talks to Join Stephanie Meyer Sci-Fi Adaptation THE HOST

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 20th, 2012 at 2:00 pm

As production looms closer for Andrew Niccol’s (In Time) adaptation of the Stephanie Meyer sci-fi novel The Host, the director continues to fill out his cast. Saoirse Ronan is onboard as the protagonist Melanie, a young woman whose body is invaded by an alien name Wanderer. Diane Kruger (Inglorious Basterds) is now apparently in talks to play The Seeker. In the world of the film, a parasitic alien species is nearly finished wiping out the human population by taking over the consciousness of each person. A soul named Wanderer is attempting to take control of Melanie’s consciousness, but faces strong opposition by what remains of the girl. Hit the jump for more.

Max Irons Lands Other Male Lead in Andrew Niccol’s THE HOST Opposite Jake Abel and Saoirse Ronan

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: November 10th, 2011 at 2:40 pm

Just a couple of days ago we reported that Jake Abel (Percy Jackson & The Olympians) had landed one of two male leads in the feature film adaptation of Twilight author Stephanie Meyer’s sci-fi novel The Host. Now EW reports that Max Irons (Red Riding Hood) has landed the other male lead in the adaptation. Saoirse Ronan stars as Melanie, a young woman whose body is invaded by an alien name Wanderer. Abel plays Ian, a young man who is in love with Wanderer, while Irons will play Jared, a young man who is in love with Melanie (given that Wanderer and Melanie share the same body, the conflict is pretty apparent and more than a little bit disturbing).

In Time director Andrew Niccol wrote and will direct the sci-fi adaptation, which starts filming in February in Louisiana and New Mexico. Irons is the son of distinguished actor Jeremy, and will star in the upcoming feature Vivaldi, though Red Riding Hood is his most prominent credit to date. Hit the jump to read a synopsis of the novel. The Host opens March 29th, 2013.

Jake Abel Set as One of Two Male Leads in Adaptation of Stephanie Meyer’s Sci-Fi Novel THE HOST

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: November 8th, 2011 at 6:55 pm

One of two male leads has been found for director Andrew Niccol’s (In Time) adaptation of Twilight author Stephanie Meyer’s sci-fi novel The Host. Deadline reports that Jake Abel (Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief) is currently in negotiations to play the role of Ian. The film stars Saoirse Ronan as Melanie, a woman whose body is invaded by an alien named Wanderer. Ian is a young man who brutalizes Wanderer before falling in love with her. The other lead role, Melanie’s boyfriend Jared, has yet to be cast.

We recently reported on a shortlist of actors being considered for the roles of Ian and Jared, and Abel’s name was among them. Deadline’s report says that the role of Jared is now down to a few finalists including Liam Hemsworth (The Hunger Games), Max Irons (Red Riding Hood), Kit Harington (Game of Thrones), and Jai Courtney (Spartacus: Blood and Sand). The casting of Jared should be settled soon, as Niccol gears up for production. Hit the jump to read a synopsis of Meyer’s novel.

TOP 5: PHANTOM MENACE 3D and MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – GHOST PROTOCOL Trailers, IN TIME, ANONYMOUS, THE RUM DIARY Interviews

by Jason Barr    Posted: October 29th, 2011 at 10:30 am

Today is a good day. The Cardinals are World Series champions, trick r’ treaters will soon be out in full force, and I’ve got a night of horror films to look forward to. Once a year, my fiancée agrees to watch a few pics of the scary variety (or at least Halloween themed ones, i.e. Ernest Scared Stupid) with me in the hopes that I won’t ask her to partake in them again until the following Halloween weekend. Last year’s highlights included Drag Me to Hell and Trick r’ Treat. This year is shaping up to be Tobe Hooper-heavy with Poltergeist and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre possibly making the cut. Like I said, today is a good day.

Before you dive into whatever Halloween festivities may await you, I hope you’ll take a few minutes and check out what this week’s “Top 5″ has to offer. In this installment you’ll find the first trailer for Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace 3D, a new trailer for Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, and interviews for this weekend’s openers In Time, Anonymous and The Rum Diary. Hit the jump for a brief recap and link to each.

IN TIME Review

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: October 27th, 2011 at 9:27 pm

[Disclaimer: When I use the word "time" (or any variation thereof) figuratively, I'm not trying to make a pun.  It's just a common and useful word for our vernacular.]

Andrew Niccol‘s In Time has the opportunity to take its solid sci-fi concept and thoughtfully explore social and existential issues.  Unfortunately, the movie skips along the surface, making its obvious points repeatedly and with decreasing clarity.  While the need to make a smart sci-fi concept palatable to the masses is understandable, Niccol takes his appropriate action coating and runs it into the ground.  In Time has so many things it wants to be and to say, but it ends up tripping over the words after the first few sentences.

Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, Vincent Kartheiser, Matt Bomer and Writer/Director Andrew Niccol IN TIME Interview

by Tommy Cook    Posted: October 27th, 2011 at 11:59 am

Press conferences can be a difficult affair – a bunch of journalist packed together in a room, most hesitant to ask questions (they’re saving them up for their one-on-ones), the others not having the good sense to be hesitant in their question-asking prowess. Some of the worst inquiries imaginable have been uttered during the course of a junket. At the Contagion event awhile back, some intrepid reporter asked Matt Damon which character he most easily identified with – Jason Bourne or his family-man character in the film. I mean – really? All this however, does create a much looser vibe. Actors/filmmakers seem to actively await the next idiot question asked and a palpable sense of disdain drips in the air.

Case in point: The In Time press conference. Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, Vincent Kartheiser, Matt Bomer and writer/director Andrew Niccol all were ready to pounce/tear at any and all questions asked. Topics ranged from parallels between Occupy Wall Street and the film to why there aren’t any cell phones in the picture to what’s it like to run in high heels (directed at Seyfried, of course). For all this and more, hit the jump.

Director Andrew Niccol IN TIME Interview; Talks About Adapting Stephenie Myer’s THE HOST

by Tommy Cook    Posted: October 25th, 2011 at 8:32 pm

In Time wears its satire on its sleeve. I don’t think I’m being particularly observant when I say that the whole “those-with-time vs. those-without-time” serves as a parallel to the growing wealth divide in the country. It’s pretty implicitly stated within the runtime. That a film about youth (surrogates: Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried) revolting against the wealthy upper class is coming out in the wake of the Occupy Wall Street movement(s) feels particularly timely or, if you’re cynical, opportune. It’s hard to look past that this film admonishing multi-billion dollar corporations is at the same time funded by the very beast it calls afoul.

In the following exclusive interview with writer/director Andrew Niccol (Gattaca), he speaks about the parallels between In Time and current events, discloses how he convinced a multi-billion dollar studio to fund a film highly critical of multi-billion dollar corporations and plays coy (sort of) on the fairly radical ideas the film advocates. Niccol’s also briefly touched on adapting the upcoming Stephenie Meyer’s novel The Host for the big-screen. For all this and more, hit the jump.

TOP 5: THE AVENGERS, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT Returns, IN TIME Set Visit, THE IDES OF MARCH and REAL STEEL Interviews

by Jason Barr    Posted: October 8th, 2011 at 11:23 am

In last week’s “Top 5″, I painfully admitted to not having seen either Moneyball or 50/50. Moreover, I put my credentials as “mildly credible film blogger” up as collateral in the case that I hadn’t checked both out by this week. Sadly, I’ll have to forfeit my title as I’ve only managed to catch 50/50 so far. On the bright side, I thought that film was great and is definitely one of my favorites of the year thus far. As for Moneyball, well there’s always this week.

In spite of my lack of mild credibility, I hope you’ll still choose to check out this week’s “Top 5″ where you’ll find new hi-res images from The Avengers, the return of Arrested Development, our In Time set visit coverage, and interviews for George Clooney’s political drama The Ides of March and Shawn Levy’s robot boxing extravaganza Real Steel. Hit the jump for a brief recap and link to each.

20 Things to Know About IN TIME from Our Set Visit Plus a Detailed Report and New Images

by Hunter Daniels    Posted: October 6th, 2011 at 12:02 am

A massive Brinks truck careens around a corner in LA’s fashion district, destroying the quiet of the mid-January afternoon. The armored car accelerates to full speed, blasting through a floor-to-ceiling sheet glass window and into the center of a bank. Wood, plaster and shards of glass spray across the floor. As the dust settles, writer/director Andrew Niccol (Gattaca, Lord of War) yells, “Cut!” Later in the afternoon, Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried pull open the bank’s vault and pass out strange silver rectangles embedded with digital clocks to a swarming crowd of extras. Timberlake yells, encouraging the mob to act quickly, but take as much time as they need. Welcome to the world of In Time.

While visiting the set of the film, which hits theaters October 28, I got to participate in group interviews with Niccol, producer Eric Newman, Timberlake and Seyfried, learn about the film’s unique high-concept, and watch nine-time Oscar nominated cinematographer, Roger Deakins, as he shot his first film on digital.  Read on for a write up of the set visit and the 20 things to know about the film.

Director Andrew Niccol and Producer Eric Newman On Set Interview IN TIME

by Hunter Daniels    Posted: October 6th, 2011 at 12:00 am

Earlier this year I was invited to the set of Andrew Niccol’s (Gattaca, The Truman Show) new Sci-Fi thriller, In Time. The film, which details the lives of a pair of Bonnie and Clyde style bandits in a world where time literally is money, stars Justin Timberlake (The Social Network) and Amanda Seyfried (Mean Girls) and hits theaters October 28.

While visiting the set I got to chat with Niccol and producer Eric Newman about how the film began life as part of Gattaca, how the technology of the future world works, the look of the film, casting Justin Timberlake, the philosophy of the film, and much more.  Read on for the full interview.

International Trailer for IN TIME

by Jason Barr    Posted: August 26th, 2011 at 9:18 am

An international trailer for writer/director Andrew Niccol’s (Gattaca) sci-fi/thriller In Time is now available online. Starring Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, Cillian Murphy, and Olivia Wilde, the film is set in the “near future” when time is used as currency and people only live until they’re 25 unless they acquire more of it. As the story goes, Will Salas (Timberlake) is accused of a murder he didn’t commit and goes on the run with Sylvia Weis (Seyfried) in an attempt to stay alive.

I’m a shameless fan of Niccol’s so I’ll most likely be checking this one out. That said, based on what I’ve seen from the film thus far, the action seems to fall a little flat while the sci-fi elements and explicit social commentary keep me interested. Check out the international trailer for yourself after the jump. In Time opens on October 28th.

Comic-Con 2011: Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried and Andrew Niccol Interview IN TIME

by Christina Radish    Posted: July 27th, 2011 at 10:03 am

Although Hall H is the big room at Comic-Con, Justin Timberlake, who was there to promote the upcoming sci-fi/action thriller In Time, is someone used to making stadium appearances as a singer. Even so, he seemed gracious and even humbled by the response he got for his first real lead acting role. In the film, which takes place in the near future, people are immortal because the aging gene has been deactivated. To avoid overpopulation, time has become the currency, allowing the rich to live forever while the rest have to negotiate for their immortality. When a young man comes into a fortune of time, he ends up on the run from a corrupt force known as time keepers.

Prior to their panel and footage presentation, co-stars Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried were joined by director Andrew Niccol for a press conference to talk about what makes In Time different from Logan’s Run, what the film says about modern society, how physically and mentally challenging the role was for Timberlake, making sure the action was very organic to the story, and how both of the film’s stars love movies where the action is performance-based. Check out what they had to say after the jump:

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