Last month, we reported that Max Irons (Vivaldi, Red Riding Hood) had joined the cast of the big screen adaptation of Twilight author Stephenie Meyer’s first adult novel, The Host, as the other male lead role of Jake. Exciting casting news continues on for this Andrew Niccol-directed film.

According to EW, Oscar winner William Hurt (The Incredible Hulk, Dark City) is in negotiations to join the cast in “the pivotal role of Jeb, eccentric uncle to Saoirse Ronan’s [character]. Jeb is one of the grizzled leaders of the human survivalists fighting the alien invasion.”

Synopsis:

“The Host” is a riveting story about the survival of love and the human spirit in a time of war. Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy. Humans become hosts for these invaders, their minds taken over while their bodies remain intact. Most of humanity has succumbed.

When Melanie, one of the few remaining “wild” humans, is captured, she is certain it is her end. Wanderer, the invading “soul” who has been given Melanie’s body, was warned about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the glut of senses, the too-vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn’t expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

When outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off on a dangerous and uncertain search for the man they both love.

The Host is slated to hit theaters on March 29th, 2013.