(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.
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OMG OMg i love taylor as Jacob if they ever changed him i would be so mad but know im sooooooo happppy that it is him
- Posted by Janehe is soooooooo hot i love hm more than Chris Brown now man talk about body!WOW!!!! im so glad they put him back in the movie Bella is going to make a good decision to go to him in this one. good for her i would chose him over Edward!!!!:) YYYYAAAAAYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!
- Posted by unknownim kinda glad that Taylor is still playing Jacob he suits the part in the first book though im not sure if hell be able to morph into the harder pack minded jacob in new moon
my biggest concern however, and this is a concern for the next movie or possible movies, is how once theyve ages Taylor inot the older jacob they are going to keep it this is the same for many of the best characters [jasper hale ftw] because as vampires and werewolves (shapeshifters) they are supposed to have their bodies frozen never aging never changing
so i am wondering how its going to pann out visually to consider how jacob or alice or jasper or esme are going to remain completely the same. I mean fans would obviously give lee-way but still its going to be tricky to keep them as close to as they were in the original =/
sorries if that seems a bit of a bummer people
- Posted by markusi’m really happy that taylor is playing the ro;e of jacob, i think that he really suits the part.
- Posted by Anai am so happy that i am a twilight fan. i am really happy that taylor will stay as jaocb. he might have had a small part but i am happy that he will be able to stay for a bigger part in new moon
- Posted by erinYou Knew They Where Never Going To Get Rid Of Him.
COME ON!
They Couldn’t Have Anyways, The Fanbase Is GIGANTIC.
And I Hope They Dont Put Vanessa Hudgens In, That Would Be Stupid.
I Personally Can’t Wait For Breaking Dawn, THE BEST TWILIGHT SAGA BOOK.
<3
- Posted by EmmmmaI’m a big twilight fan. I’ve read all the books and the guide. I would give anything to become a vampire. (Sorry edward, yes even my soul) I just now read how Taylor is back in the film. That is so awsome!!!! Although he didn’t play a very big part in twilight, his debut in New Moon will make him famous. He is a good actor and i think he can play part of bella’s life saver. he really deserves this.
- Posted by Tristian CookOMG,OMG,OMG!!!!!!!!!!! i’m so happy that taylor is coming back, i was so mad when i heard that they were possibly going to cast a different person for the role, he is the perfect jacob<3… new moon would definitally not be the same without taylor as jacob!
- Posted by DarcieOMJ (and yes were saying oh my jacob here)! Taylor Lautner is being Jacob! Yay! I started freaking out in school when my friend told me. I screamed and clapped and everyone looked at me. I didn’t care! He’s staying! Summit made the right choice!
- Posted by AlisonI love Taylor!!! His role in Shark Boy and Lava Girl took his career (and my hopes) to a whole nutha level!!! He is super cute with the long hair, and the pointy teeth really helped him be Jacob Black. So Taylor, gone and do yo thang home boy!!!!
- Posted by DyamondCamellia said that just like in Lord of the Rings, they were able to make hobbits look smaller than the actors really were, well yes, they had a HUGE budget to work with, so unless Summit is planning on upping the budget on New Moon, I don’t think it’s going to be that simple. Taylor is going to have to be more than the charater he portrayed in Twilight. He cannot be the all smiles, happy-go-lucky guy he was then. He needs to get…harder, more manly, aware of his physical self more. I just do not know if he can do this. I hope so! But I just do not know. He is not what I would have picked for that role. Honestly the guy who played Sam wasn’t who I would have picked either though. But like it has already been mentioned, now that they have cast him for the first film, it’s kinda hard to imagine someone else for the second. Anyone remember the movie Last of the Mohicans? I always pictured Eric Schweig, who played Uncas as the best Jasob Black. He was big, well muscled and cute - but obviously way too old now….
- Posted by AmomFIRST OF ALL,TAYLOR LOOKS LIKE HE IS 14 YEARS OLD!!you cant have the proper feelings for the jake of new moon if he looks like a little boy! it will kill the vibe he was meant to give the audience people!!
- Posted by PAOLA OSPINAi am sooooooooo glad that taylor is going to stay on as jacob for new moon.. ^_^
- Posted by jennyeah hes the hottest & the best it wouldve been a meaningless m ovie without him(:
- Posted by NisseThat’s great news! I love the idea of Taylor playing Jacob Black again. I don’t think is all about the body, it’s all in his face (his smile, his teeth, his jaw…everything in his face screams wolf) the minute I saw him in the movie Twilight I new he had to be the wolf. Thanks for recasting him.
- Posted by MTPYAAAAAAAAYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE TAYLOR LAUTNER!!
- Posted by loulouEh. I don’t know. I didn’t think he was as bad as some people made him out to be, and I do like continuity by having the same actors play the characters.
We’ll see.
He plays such a huge role in the next movie so I hope he steps up on this.
In the end it won’t be about him, though - it will be about how well they interpret the book into a movie. They did a pretty good job with Twilight and if they expect to continue the story past New Moon they had better do a good job with this one. I will very much look forward to watching this movie.
- Posted by JoeI’m thrilled Taylor is back. Not because I particularly love him as Jacob, but because I hate cast changes! It would have been a major distraction from the movie. Summit should have read Stephanie’s books better while casting for Twilight instead of freaking out pre-production on New Moon. Stupid movie companies.
- Posted by JessicaI really like Taylor as Jacob. He is a cutie! But I seriously am an Edward fan. But Taylor is a good role as Jacob and I’m proud they decided to keep him! I hope they make a movie for Eclipse and Breaking Dawn and keep him too!!
- Posted by Briannaoh my god yes!!!!!!! i just so love that taylor is back for good i would noy have gone and seen the second movie if jacob was anyone else !!!!!! I LOVE JACOB BLACK
- Posted by morgan