LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Saoirse Ronan has scored the lead in The Host, the screen adaptation of the bestselling novel by Twilight Saga author Stephenie Meyer, Deadline reports.

Irish actress Ronan, who celebrated her 17th birthday in April, will play teenager Melanie in the film about aliens who take over humans' bodies.

Ronan was nominated for an Oscar for 2007's Atonemeny, but she's much more grown up now. She starred as an assassin in the well-reviewed action flick Hanna out earlier this month. No stranger to more serious roles, she also starred in The Lovely Bones.

Studios are certainly hoping that The Host will have success similar to the Twilight films.

Ronan is also rumored to be playing a part in both of The Hobbit movies, which are currently shooting.