(Writing and reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis)
It may have taken a casting controversy to do it, but actor Taylor Lautner has proven he is a “Twilight” fan favorite. Those fans of the vampire romance books and movie can celebrate now, because the studio behind the film says Lautner will reprise his role as Jacob Black in the sequel “New Moon,” with earlier concerns about him being too small for the role brushed aside.
Stephenie Meyer, the author behind the “Twilight” book series, said in a statement on her Web site on Wednesday that she was part of the decision to recast Lautner, along with the studio Summit Entertainment.
“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,” Meyer said.
Jacob Black is a shape-shifter who turns into a wolf. When it became clear in December that he was not a lock for the part, “Twilight” readers cried foul on the myriad of fan Web sites that appeal to the book series’ readers, who are mostly young women and teens.
The problem with recasting the 16-year-old Lautner for “New Moon” was a physical one, because in the book series Jacob Black bulks up and grows about a foot taller between the first and second book. But Lautner has said he is working out for the role, and maybe he can count on a teenage growth spurt.
With Summit announcing late Wednesday that Lautner would be back to play Black, fans reacted quickly. On the fan Web site BellaAndEdward.com, one fan wrote, “I’ve been saying this whole time that it’s not about who is physically best for the role, it’s about who is emotionally best for the role.” On another fan site called HisGoldenEyes.com, fans said they were hyperventilating, crying and even shaking with joy at the casting choice. One fan named Tiffany wrote, “My life is complete now!” But despite the overwhelming positive reaction to the news, not everyone was happy. One fan named Khacie wrote, “What are you people thinking?! Taylor Lautner is NOT Jacob Black!”
“New Moon” comes out on Nov. 20. “Twilight” has made more than $177 million in the U.S. and Canada since it came out on Nov. 21, a whopping take for a film that cost about $37 million to make.
Trackback
69 comments so far
Previous | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Next
YA HES BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I LOVE JACOB
- Posted by BRITTNEYim so glad that he is back in the movie it would be weird without him!!! i?edward
- Posted by 45322omg im so happy
- Posted by katieTaylor Lautner is the ONLY jacob black
yeah….omg this is awesome…
- Posted by teamNessiei cant wait to see this now…
things will be perfect with taylor!
this is soooo cool tyalor is like the best jperosn ever for jacob. and i cannot wait to see him in new moon.
- Posted by BRiannaIf you think about it, a lot of people tought that Robert was not good inuf to be Edward, but look at him know, his so good at what he does, and all the girls are tripin over him!Taylor might not really look like much, as to Jacob, but i’m sure that the film makers know what they are doing. And it will turn out just as good as Robert beeing Edward.
- Posted by ElsaAnd i’m sure it will turn out a good film (:
Lord of the Rings, anyone??? How do you think they made the hobbits look so small and the humans so big compared to them? Making Taylor look taller should be a piece of cake.
- Posted by Camellia[...] Check out his blog here! [...]
- Posted by The Fan Fare on Taylor Keeping the Jacob Role[...] “Twilight” fans drink up the news of Taylor Lautner’s return [...]
- Posted by Keep quiet, Kapar MP tells Selangor MB | Malaysia ChronicleI am so happy that they are sticking with Taylor as Jacob Black….He may very we’ll not be the ideal height or build…But you will be amazed to see what a good Director can do with the right chamera shoots, If he dosen’t look quite Tall enough in the next film it will not be his fault, I’ll be blaming the Director…I mean look what the Director of The lord of the rings managed…. Those hobbits were ordinary sized men and women but with the right camera angles look what he did…………Brilliant
- Posted by Emmai was very excited to hear that Taylor was still going to play the character Jacob black.he is so hot and whoever doesn’t like him
then…………………………………………
to be continued
- Posted by yoyoI am so so happy for Taylor. He’s such a nice guy. After reading a couple of the negative comments, maybe I can shed some light on why he not only should have gone thru what he has over the past months, but why there shouldn’t have been a question. Firstly, Taylor’s size was not an issue. He clearly has the body that is as muscular as Jacob. Now that he’s even gaining more weight, he’s going to look even more awesome. Movie magic takes care of any height issues. As for his acting, he clearly showed his acting chops recently in My Own Worst Enemy. He didn’t play a happy-go-lucky teenager as he had in Twilight. He played a teenager with a little bit of an attitude which Jacob will have. So, he already showed he had the chops to play the role. So, his reading with Kristen (although it was said it was for a chemistry thing)was rediculous because they have been interacting in interviews together and they appeared to get along greatly - see the Fuse TV interview. Taylor had shown that he can handle being Jacob. So, this delay by Weitz was crazy. You go get ‘em Taylor. You’ve earned it. He’s going to be an absolutely fine.
- Posted by tucheer83Jacob is supposed to be 6′4″ and look well into his twenties. I think they made the wrong choice sticking with a 16y/o. Maybe they could do something with CGI, but if he looks like a normal sized kid it will ruin the story.
- Posted by MaryI was not happy with the choice to cast taylor in the first place, but he was fine in the movie even if it wasn’t what i pictured Jake as. To replace him for the second movie would have been stupid. they made their decision with the full knowledge of Jacob’s transformation. they cant go back now and say they want a different one. i was very happy when i heard the news.
- Posted by GeorginaMaybe Lautner’s acting ability will be strong enough to convince me that he is the Jacob Black I envisioned in New Moon and the other books. But from what I saw of him in Twilight and I’ll be the first to admit he wasn’t on screen long enough–I’m skeptical. In my mind, I see Jacob emotionally and physically changing from an unsure teenage boy, to a “screw-you Edward, I’m going to fight for what I want” young man. I want to see a bigger Jacob. I want to see a Jacob that looks menacing to those who don’t really know him but so sweet and beautiful enough that Bella falls in love with him. George Lucas’ Industrial Light & Magic can only do but so much!
- Posted by ReginaYAY im soo happy they deff shouldnt have even thought about changeing him i think hes amazing and i hate it when movies change actors
- Posted by rosieOMG!!!! I am so happy that Taylor is going to be in ‘New Moon’! I am so in love with him and I was soooo sad when I heard that he might not be in ‘New Moon’. I want to thank Stephenie Meyer and all of the Twilight fans for deciding on Taylor to be Jacob Black!!! ‘Go Team Switzerland!!!!’
- Posted by Gysel GomezYay! I know about three hundred girls who will be celebrating in my school when I give them the happy news! You go Taylor, I always knew you were the one, the only, JACOB BLACK!!!
- Posted by Chloe MTaylor, you ROCK!
O!!!!thank goodness im so happy.My friends at school were all bumbed that he was getting his role taking out in new moon but cant wait to tell them this news!!they will be thrilled!!so will I!like i am now
- Posted by AmberI’m glad to hear that Taylor will be back. I know it will be hard for him but with all they can do these days to make movies I’m sure they can come up with something. Thanks for listening to the fans.
- Posted by Linda Hopkins