Taylor Lautner Confirmed as Jacob Black for ‘New Moon’
“Twilight” author, Stephenie Meyer announced on her website this afternoon that Taylor Lautner, aka Jacob Black , will be back in “New Moon” to reprise his role.
“New Moon” from director Chris Weitz (Via E! Online):
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 Stephenie Meyer.
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. 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. I think that fans of Twilight the book and the movie will be surprised by the Jacob Black that Taylor will bring to the screen in New Moon; and I’m looking forward to working with him and the rest of the cast in realizing the film.
very best
Chris Weitz
Stephenie Meyer, Writer of the ‘Twilight ’ Saga:
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. And I’m very much looking forward to seeing what he’s going to bring to Jacob’s character this year.
- Steph
There has been much speculation the past few months whether or not 16 year old Lautner would be back in the role due to the transformation the character of Jacob goes through in the book. Black, who grows in character and over a foot in physical size. Rumors that the role would go to Michael Copon, the 26 year old “Scorpion King 2″ actor who himself was making a full force effort to land the high profile gig. But Taylor wasn’t going without a fight. He told MTV last month:
“I have been working hard preparing for the physicality that this role will require and can’t wait to get started with the filming of ‘New Moon.’ My job for ‘Twilight’ was to bring ‘Twilight’ Jacob to life—the friendly, happy-go-lucky little Jacob,” he said. ”My job for New Moon is completely different. I’ve been looking forward to that. I’ve been getting ready for it, and I can assure them I will follow through with that. “
And follow through he did. He has saved his role as the werewolf morphing rival to Robert Pattinson’s character, Edward Cullen.
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Written by: Holly Stafford
This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 7th, 2009 at 7:24 pm and is filed under Celebrity Quotes, Movies, Robert Pattinson, Twilight Saga News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Leigh January 8th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
i am so glad and relieved that Taylor will be Jacob in NEW MOON, I cannot stand it when sequels to movies get a different actor to replace an important character, it ruins the whole feel and perspective of the first film for me and so on!!!!
YEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GO TAYLORRRRRRRRRRRRRR