Taylor Lautner will get to star alongside Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart once again – the actor will reprise his role as Jacob Black in the Twilight sequel, it was confirmed Wednesday.
“I’m very happy to announce that Taylor Lautner will be playing Jacob Black in New Moon and that he’s doing so with the enthusiastic support of Summit Entertainment, the producers, and [author] Stephenie Meyer,” director Chris Weitz said in a statement.
Although studio bosses initially doubted whether whether Lautner could effectively portray his werewolf character – who ages 10 years and grows much taller and bulkier in the film’s sequel, Lautner, 16, won over Meyer and Weitz with his dedication to the part.
“The characters in Stephenie’s books go through extraordinary changes of circumstance and also appearance; so it is not surprising that there has been speculation about whether the same actor would portray a character who changes in so many surprising ways throughout the series,” Weitz explained.
“But it was my first instinct that Taylor was, is, and should be Jacob, and that the books would be best served by the actor who is emotionally right for the part.”
Meyer added, “I’d just like to add that I was very much a part of this decision. My first priority was always what was best for New Moon – what was going to give us the best possible movie.
“I’m truly thrilled that Taylor was the one who proved to the director, to Summit, and to me that he is the best possible Jacob we could have.”
In a recent poll conducted by People.com, readers “overwhelmingly voted” voted to keep Lautner rather than see him replaced by actor Michael Copon, 26, a rumored rival for the role.
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