AceShowbiz -

Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan has allegedly been tapped to star in novel-adapted "The Host (2012)". Deadline reports that the actress will take the role of Melanie Stryder, one of the last humans putting up a fight against an alien species called Souls.

Melanie is captured by the aliens, which fuse to each person's consciousness and systematically erase their personalities. She is later implanted by a Soul called Wanderer, something of a legend because of all of the "hosts" she has attached to on numerous planets.

Wanderer's goal is to get Melanie to give up the remaining pockets of humans, but instead the alien finds Melanie to be unique in her unwillingness to surrender her consciousness. Wanderer is so overwhelmed by Melanie's memories and feelings, the alien is driven to reconnect with Melanie's old life.

Produced by Marc Butan, Jim Seibel, and Bill Johnson, "The Host" will be looking for a distributor at 2011 Cannes Film Festival next week. Andrew Niccol serves as the screenwriter for the big screen version of the book, which is written by "Twilight" saga's author Stephenie Meyer. Niccol will also likely serve behind the lens.

Ronan came to an international prominence through her role as Briony Tallis in "Atonement". In 2009, she nabbed Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor in "The Lovely Bones". The 17-year-old actress recently acted in "Hanna", and will be seen in "Violet & Daisy".