Paraparaumu boy returns home in Hollywood movie

 By Alan Tristram

Kāpiti Coast parents Don and Barbara Niccol will be among the first local moviegoers to see Hollywood’s latest sci-fi film, ‘The Host’ – mainly because their son Andrew has both written and directed it.

The film will be released on the Coast and internationally at Easter weekend.

Andrew Niccol, who is screenplay writer and director, was born in Paraparaumu, then shifted soon after into Wellington, then Auckland, with his parents.

Now Andrew’s parents have returned to retirement on the Kapiti Coast, where his sister and family also live. They keep in close touch with Andrew, who now has a house on the Californian coast, near Los Angeles.

Andrew’s school career

Andrew got his secondary education at Auckland Boys Grammar school after the family moved to Auckland.

From school, he entered the world of advertising, winning awards for both written and TV advertisements in New Zealand before moving to London where he was responsible for several big ad. accounts.

While there, he wrote the screenplays for several films and sold ‘The Truman Show’ to Paramount which — under the direction of Australian Peter Weir and starring Jim Carrey —  proved to be a very successful film

Andrew went on to craft other successful films: ‘Gattaca,’ ‘Simone,’ Lord of War’ and “In Time.” He wrote and directed each one as original stories.

With ‘The Host,’ it’s the first time Andrew has written the screenplay and directed a film that is not his own.

Based on Stephenie Meyer story

‘The Host’ is based on a story by Stephenie Meyer.

Andrew took on his writing and directing role by invitation from Stephenie Meyer and her production team — and the result is a visually stunning film.

It’s also an unusual science fiction story, where the SciFi vehicle is used to portray real human personality conflicts.

The Aliens are not the usual aggressive, ugly creatures who must be fought off; instead they come to Earth with altruistic intentions, but not with humanity’s approval.

The story is a big departure from the ‘Twilight’ series with which Stephenie Meyer has had considerable success.

And she’s expressed her hope the viewers will be able to accept it on its own merits.