Taylor Lautner Retains The Role Of Jacob In The ‘Twilight’ Sequel
Yesterday I posted a newslink from Entertainment Weekly magazine that reported that all signs were pointing toward Taylor Lautner retaining the role of Jacob Black (which he originated in the Twilight movie that opened last November) for the upcoming Twilight movie sequel New Moon. As you may recall, there was some chatter that Lautner might be replaced for the role by Michael Copon in order to beef up the character in the next film (which is an integral component of the New Moon story). Some fans thought Lautner should be replaced and others lobbied for him to keep the role … Stephenie Meyer, author of the Twilight Saga books, announced on her official website that the decision has been made and Taylor Lautner WILL keep the role of Jacob Black:
January 7, 2009
Good news about New Moon from director Chris Weitz:
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
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
IMHO, this is great news. Altho I always felt that, if handled properly, bringing in a new actor to play the “much changed” Jacob could work in the next film, I really wanted Taylor to keep the part. First, I hate when major characters get replaced with new actors in between films. Second, I thought that Taylor did a great job of bringing Jacob to life in the first film. In the end, none of this is rocket science and I’m sure they would’ve made any scenario work but I’m happy that Lautner will be able to keep playing the role he originated and won’t be cast aside as the next film is being made. I’m sure he is very happy with this news … Michael Copon, notsomuch.
[Source]
Tags: 'New Moon', 'Twilight', Jacob Black, Stephenie Meyer, Taylor Lautner
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January 8th, 2009 at 8:02 am
I’m really happy they decided to keep Taylor as Jacob Black. I too, thought he did a wonderful job at bringing Jacob to life and I’m excited to see how he does in New Moon. Besides, the poor thing didn’t get to show off as much in Twilight as he will in New Moon. :)
January 8th, 2009 at 8:13 am
Boo…. hopefully they get him some damn good acting lessons before filming… :p
January 8th, 2009 at 8:18 am
Give the kid a break, the first show he’s been on, has been cancelled, and then there’s talk of him being fired from his first movie, I for one am glad that he’s NOT leaving Twilight. I loved him as Jacob!
January 8th, 2009 at 8:19 am
Aw, good! I thought he was adorable.
January 8th, 2009 at 8:24 am
This is thee best News! I think he will totally kick butt in New Moon and I sooo can’t wait for the dynamics between Edward and Jacob in Eclipse. Then Breaking Dawn!! I need to see me some headboards break baby!!!!! ;)
January 8th, 2009 at 8:25 am
I for one am so happy about this decision. Taylor is the PERFECT Jacob!! It would not be right if someone else came in to play that role! He will do a great job!!
January 8th, 2009 at 8:37 am
Taylor has his heart in this from day one, he’ll do great. Congrats to him.
January 8th, 2009 at 8:45 am
I don’t understand why they don’t just make the older guy Sam. That would be pretty fitting casting, and he’d get to be in Twilight. Everybody wins?
January 8th, 2009 at 9:00 am
cmc that’s a stroke of genius! Cast Michael Copon as Sam! I’m glad Taylor is keeping the role, I thought he was cute in Twilight, but he’s really going to need to buff up and bring it in New Moon. Personally I couldn’t stand that book, so I doubt there is too much they could do to make me enjoy it anyway (RPattz shirtless a lot of the time maybe?) but I’m glad they are not switching actors. I also really don’t think they make Breaking Dawn into a movie, I think they’ll keep it as a trilogy with Twilight, New Moon then Eclipse, those 3 round off the storyline with Victoria, and RPattz said he’s only been contracted to make 2 sequals.
January 8th, 2009 at 9:09 am
yaaay n_n
January 8th, 2009 at 9:20 am
not that i care at all about Twilight, but i’m happy about this cause that boy is a hottie!! i’m glad he’ll still be on the celeb radar for awhile to come. :0)
January 8th, 2009 at 9:48 am
I am very happy he will be in the next one! I get attached to characters lol
January 8th, 2009 at 9:49 am
honestly i am glad taylor is going to be back. i can’t stand michael copon… he has a habit of ruining everything hes in. Could not stand him in One Tree Hill… too cocky
January 8th, 2009 at 10:06 am
I think that they need Taylor for New Moon but I’m curious how they are going to make him look 6ft- after the change. I think Michael Copon could be Jacob after the change. My humble opinion.
January 8th, 2009 at 10:09 am
I’m really glad they decided to stick with Taylor, he seemed to really be inside Jacob’s head, the same way Kristen and Rob really analyzed Bella, Edward, and their relationship. And he is very devoted to the books and the fanbase, so I’m sure he’ll do right by it. What I find even more promising about this announcement, is that Chris acknowledges the need for an actor thats “emotionally right” and seems to have approached this process in a logical and well thought out way. I really think he is going to be able to create a great screen version of New Moon. It seems that he realizes how important it is to stay loyal to the books and fan. @ CMC: Technically they already have a Sam. One of the boys with Jacob when he approcahed Bella at the beach in Twilight is credited as Sam Uley. A recast of that would be no problem..it was so minor nobody noticed. And it would be fitting — the boy was scrawny, and much too young looking. Poorly thought out idea to credit him as Sam in Twilight, I think done by someone who just saw the name and threw it in, not realizing the pivatol role that character comes to play. That being said….Copon doesn’t jive with how I picture Sam. And from what I’ve picked up on him from interviews is he just sees Twilight as a career move, and has no interest in it otherwise. He seems immaturen and arrogant, and wouldn’t know how to approach the role the right way.
January 8th, 2009 at 10:17 am
Michael Copon is a toolbox (I mean, I get the acting on One Tree Hill isn’t award winning, but give me a break), I’m happy that I don’t have to worry about him runing the movie.
January 8th, 2009 at 10:26 am
hahahaha! this is great! I bet that other guy feels like a douche that he wrote that he was Jacob Black on his facebook! haha!
January 8th, 2009 at 10:32 am
I wasnt impressed with Jacob in the first movie but I would have been pissed off if they switched actors for the roles. He’s adorable and Im sure they will find a way to make the movie work. It would have been alienating to their fans who saw the movie multiple times and now identify Taylor with Jacob.
January 8th, 2009 at 10:42 am
He’s so hot.. he’s completely turned me to ‘Team Jacob’
January 8th, 2009 at 11:05 am
Yeah! This is awesome news! Team Jacob right here:)
January 8th, 2009 at 11:06 am
woops, I meant Team Taylor:)
January 8th, 2009 at 11:12 am
THANK GOD! He matched the character of Jacob perfectly! Anyone here who has read the book may not all agree with me that this is how Jacob Black was supposed to look like, but he is just as I imagined Jacob to look like! The Blacks are supposed to be Native American Indians and the actor who portrays Jacob must fit this criteria, otherwise it would be a serious case of bad casting, but I think they got it right and should stick with the original actors.
January 8th, 2009 at 11:27 am
@ cmc – I totally thought the same thing.. Like there are enough other guys in Jacobs pack that michael copon could play, Taylor lautner is a a great Jacob and I’m glad that they are keeping him
January 8th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Don’t suppose anyone has any links to recent pictures of TL? I want to see what he looks like now with the 19 pounds he’s packed on. And, he thinks he can do 10 more before March? The boy really wanted this role. I’m glad he got it.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
I’m interested to see the same thing… we keep hearing he’s packing on some lbs, but I wanna see pics! :)
January 8th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
I think with the magic of movies in this day and age, they can make Taylor look as large and in charge as Jacob is supposed to be in the last 3 books. He was perfect for Twilight and seems to be such a sweetheart! I am so happy for him and for all of us real Twi-hards! He is definitely emotionally in touch and I am eager to see the relationship between the 3 main characters really develop.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Here’s a link to the interview MTV did with Taylor where he said he had put on 19 pounds. Its really just part of his chest up, but you can still a different in his shoulder and upper arms. I haven’t seen anything but I’m sure if you google pics from this event you can find something.
http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1601555/story.jhtml
January 8th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
I personally thought he was one of the better actors in Twlight, he just didn’t have much of a part to work with. I sure hope they spend some MONEY on effects in New Moon, with a big budget anything is possible. Also, why hasn’t anyone said anything about making Breaking Dawn? That will be really strange to leave it “unfinished” if the stop at a trilogy. Thoughts?
January 8th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
I don’t get it.. Did you guys see the same movie I did?? I’m baffled.
January 8th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Awww I wish Michael Copon would have got it. He has the perfect body. Taylor is too short and too much of a skrawn, regardless of whether he packed on the poundage or not.
January 8th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
yayayay!
i’m so glad they kept taylor.
i was worried for a sec.
<3333
January 8th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Thanks goodness. This is awesome news!!
January 8th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
It kinda makes you wonder if the whole Michael Copon thing was a set up to get people really involved. I mean, I can see where Michael could be a bit full of himself, but to make outright claims that he is the new Jacob Black seems a little fishy.
January 9th, 2009 at 12:03 am
I am glad they kept him as Jacob. My 14 year old cousin and her friends were so close to having a heart attack when they first heard they might replace him. I liked him as Jacob too. I didn’t like that Michael Copon guy too much.
January 9th, 2009 at 5:32 am
I’m glad they kept him. Switching actors in mid-series is jarring to the audience. He’s a total cutie, and his looks are exactly right for Jacob. He’s got to loose the smirk and work hard on his craft, not just his muscles, to pull this off though.
January 9th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Thank goodness.
January 10th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
sooooo excited, he’s amazing <3