'Safe Haven' director Lasse Hallstrom chats about adapting Nicholas Sparks novels

Hollywood loves Nicholas Sparks, the master of the romance novel, as it loves few other modern authors. "Safe Haven," opening in theaters Thursday, is the eighth Sparks adaptation to hit the big screen since 1999.

And Lasse Hallström, the Academy Award-nominated director of "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" and "The Cider House Rules," is making a play for the title of go-to Sparks adapter. "Safe Haven" is Hallström's second crack at a Sparks property after 2010's "Dear John."

We spoke with Hallström about "Safe Haven," which stars Julianne Hough as a woman on the run from a dark past and Josh Duhamel as the handsome single father who falls for her.