Chris Weitz, director of the upcoming movie The Twilight Saga: New Moon, was spied having a power lunch with a few new castmembers from this new film. Alex Meraz, Bronson Pelletier, Tyson Houseman and Taylor Lautner (who we already know will reprise his role as Jacob Black) joined Weitz for a bite to eat in Vancouver, Canada (where the film is currently in production) yesterday afternoon. It is being reported that the new castmembers, the ones who are playing Native American parts, are actually Native American themselves. Here are a few pics from yesterday’s summit … be warned, the following report may contain spoilers for those of you who have yet to read the book:

Summit Entertainment has brought on a cast of American Indian actors to star in the werewolf and vampire-themed “New Moon,” the sequel to “Twilight”. The studio has hired Chaske Spencer, Bronson Pelletier, Alex Meraz, Kiowa Gordon and Tyson Houseman to form the ensemble Wolf Pack, who in Stephenie Meyer’s novel take the side of the humans in their fight against the evil breed of vampires. All five will make their big-screen debuts in the film. Taylor Lautner previously had been cast as Jacob Black, also a member of the Wolf Pack. Summit noted that all of the actors are of American Indian descent, with Sioux, Purepecha and Hualapai among the tribes represented. Meyer made the announcement on her Web site after weeks of rumors that director Chris Weitz was close to casting members of the Wolf Pack.

I understand that it was very important for the studio to hire Native American actors for these roles, which I think is a very smart move. Not only does hiring Native American actors give new opportunities to actors that may not get much work already but it will also give the film a level of authenticity. I’m pretty sure we won’t be seeing any of these young gents in any wolf costuming … that is, until the movie comes out in November … but it’s nice to see that they look like a handsome bunch. Do these guys look like the Quileute characters you envisioned from the book?

[Photo credit: Bauer Griffin; Source]