If you were among the movie-goers who invaded theaters this weekend for the big-screen adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's sci-fi romance "The Host" (and managed to avoid the bean-spilling until then), you were treated to an excellent cameo in the film's closing moments--namely, the secret identity of the actress picked to play Pet (full name: Petals Open to the Moon), the host whom Wanda is implanted in after she's removed from Melanie.

Now, to be honest, I'd kind of forgotten about this character. When production began last year, I did wonder to myself who would play Wanda's more permanent form, but the thought quickly escaped the steel trap that is my mind, never to be spotted again...until I attended a screening last week. And I was tickled! So tickled, in fact, I wanted to spend a few minutes after the jump discussing this casting with you. Venture on...at your own risk.

So, yes, "Sucker Punch" star Emily Browning is Pet! This strikes me as significant for a few reasons:

1. Emily is the ex-girlfriend of "The Host" actor Max Irons, who plays Melanie's boyfriend Jared. And although the two broke up last summer (long before the film's release, obviously), it was a fun little sight gag watching Emily snuggle up to Jake Abel's character, Ian, instead of Max's Jared.

2. Emily is no stranger to the Stephenie Meyer fandom, having been the author's pick to portray heroine Bella Swan in the "Twilight" adaptation. And although Emily was asked to audition way back when, she politely declined as she was just coming off of shooting "The Uninvited" and wanted a break. What an olive branch this is!

3. Done up for the film, Emily looked like a mini doppelganger for Saoirse Ronan (much more so than usual). Though I'm not sure that's what was intended, it was an interesting visual.

So if that "Host" sequel Stephenie is working on also finds its way to the big-screen (and includes all the key players we've met already), here's hoping Emily and Max will be game to share some screen time together even if they aren't sharing romantic times anymore.

What did you think of Emily as Pet? Tell us in the comments and on Twitter!