Stephenie Meyer, Kruger premiere 'The Host' in L.A.

Diane Kruger says she 'hadn't quite realized' how devoted Meyer's fans were until recently.
HOLLYWOOD—Werewolves and vampires? So 2012. Author Stephenie Meyer's got a far more futuristic blueprint for 2013 with The Host, her newly adapted film hitting theaters March 29.

At the movie's L.A. premiere Tuesday night, the Twilight saga's author noted the whirlwind since Breaking Dawn Part 2 bid adieu to fans last fall. "It's only been a few months, but really, so much has happened," Meyer said at the Arclight Hollywood theater, alternating interviews with signing fans' books. With Bella and Edward in her rearview mirror, Meyer's new tale, helmed by screenwriter/director Andrew Niccol (Gattica), puts an emphasis on species unknown.

In the sci-fi movie, unyielding aliens invade Earth and possess humans' bodies, coldly erasing their memories. With the world's population whittled down to just a small group of human survivors, the spotlight is on two young adults (Saoirse Ronan, Max Irons) to fight back.

"It's exciting to meet young people who have read the book and who are excited about the film," said Ronan, 18, who plays Melanie Stryder, a human invaded by an alien for the majority of the film. Ronan, who previously earned praise for films including Hanna and The Lovely Bones, said she was taken aback by the fervor surrounding The Host. "It's the first time I've been involved in a film where there's so much tension around it from the (start), really before the film's even come out or been reviewed."

Diane Kruger, whose alien character systematically hunts humans, said she "hadn't quite realized" how devoted Meyer's fans were. "Of course, I knew Twilight was big and all that, but we did a poster signing a couple of days ago here in Los Angeles and thousands of people showed up," she said on the red carpet. "I finally realized that this might be a different ball of wax. I got asked out on a date! I got gifts. It was kind of neat."

Niccol was requested specifically by Meyer to direct the film (the author says she felt included on "every major decision" with The Host, a change from the Twilight films). On the red carpet, Niccol said he "naively tried to forget about the expectations" associated with the author's work. "Because if I did start to think about it I probably wouldn't do it, because there are so many fans who love the book."
Meanwhile, Irons could give Robert Pattinson a run for his money in the heartthrob department. The 27-year-old actor (who is the son of Jeremy Irons) initially thought he didn't "stand a chance" at nabbing the role of Jared. Now fully aboard the Meyer project, "I think Stephenie would admit that this is a change in direction for her," he said. "It exists by itself."

Kruger, dressed in a sheer black Thakoon dress and futuristic silver Jimmy Choo sandals (with beau Joshua Jackson by her side as her date), said she loved the challenge of playing her first major villain. "It's really rare to have the baddie be a girl, let alone to have two really strong female characters in a movie," she said, noting Ronan's protagonist.

In The Host, the exiled humans hide out in a dim cave. What would the cast pack for an impending apocalypse? "Other than water or food? Probably a nice down blanket or pillow," laughed Kruger. Both Ronan and Meyer picked their iPods. "If I have my music I'm going to be OK," said Meyer, who plans to "lock myself in my office to finish the sequel," after The Host debuts (she is still uncertain if it will be a trilogy).

Irons voted for a bathtub and a double bed. "I'm not a tough survivor," he grinned. "I need my creature comforts."

News Source: www.usatoday.com

'It's Tragic': Twilight Author Feels 'Guilty' About Kristen Stewart And Robert Pattinson's Relationship Troubles

Twilight author Stephenie Meyer has admitted that she feels guilty about Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart's relationship troubles, calling the media attention surrounding them "tragic."

Meyer helped launch the careers of Rob and Kristen when they were cast in the film adaptations of her smash hit Twilight Saga series. Of course the films led to the on-screen lovers getting together in real life too. After Kristen's affair with Snow White And The Huntsman Director last year though, the couple have barely been out of the headlines with rumours of multiple breakups and reconciliations.

Meyer has now admitted that she believes the main cause of their romantic problems is because the pair have been so scrutinised by the media."Here's the thing: there are some actors who are looking to be world famous, to be that household name, and although they might discover that there are a lot of negative things involved in that, it's what they want," The author tells The Times.

"But that doesn't apply to Kristen and Rob. That's what makes it kind of ironic and tragic.''
Tragic: Twilight author Stephenie Meyer speaks out on Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart (WENN)

She added that the privacy loving pair "don't enjoy the parts [of fame] that other people would. And I totally get that, because it would not be my thing either."

Whilst the couple have their love life splashed across the papers, Stephenie admits that the press have largely stayed away from her:

"At the same time - and this is where the guilt comes from - it's created this nice, peaceful place for me. They took all of my heat, which I feel bad about. If they had the choice, I've no idea if they'd even do Twilight again. I just don't know. I think this has all come at a heavy price.''

Meanwhile, whilst Rob is busy shooting The Rover in Australia, Kristen is worried about her future career, post Twilight. The brunette has revealed all to the Chicago Sun Times, admitting that she's having a tough time venturing into new roles because she fears her former chatacter Bella Swan will stay with her forever.

Now that the Twilight Saga has finally ended, K-Stew says that she's trying to distance herself from her vampy role. She says, “Of course, there are people who so genuinely love the Twilight movies and books that they’ve said, ‘Every single time I see you in a movie, you’re still Bella to me.’ It doesn’t bother me. I just say, ‘Fantastic, you’re a big Bella fan. I can totally relate. I’m a fan of Bella, too.’”

News Source: www.entertainmentwise.com