Taylor Lautner Does ‘Interview’ Magazine
Early last month we saw photos of Twilight star Taylor Lautner on the SoCal set of a photoshoot for Interview magazine and today we get to see the fruits of his labor. Taylor is featured in the new issue of Interview magazine wherein he talks about, of course, his role as Jacob Black in The Twilight Saga: New Moon. Here are a few pics from his Interview photospread and a portion of his interview:
When rumors surfaced last year that 17-year-old Taylor Lautner would not appear in the Twilight sequel because he was too physically slight to portray a bookworm-turned-werewolf, a great shriek rose from Fangirl Island. “Noooooo!!” wrote one obsessive on a Twilight discussion board. “omg. Pleezze let Taylor come back,” implored another. Some were more militant: “If they don’t put him in . . . there will be a massive Twilight fan attack!” The producers opted not to mess with their core constituency. While Twilight was ringing up $380 million at the box office and becoming one of the top pop-culture phenomena of the past year, Lautner was busy packing on 30 pounds of -muscle at the gym. His character, Jacob Black, the platonic best friend of heroine Bella Swan (played by Kristen Stewart), transforms in New Moon from a likable klutz into a member of a wolf pack. Likewise, the film gives Lautner a chance to bust out of more than his shirts, challenging co-star Robert Pattinson’s dominance of both the teen mags and the movie’s monster love-story narrative … Lautner grew up in Michigan and L.A., a youthful karate star who transitioned at the age of 12 from martial arts to acting in benign cinematic family fare like The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl. He was excited to talk about shooting New Moon, dirt biking, his new set of muscles, and playing up the sexual tension.
MICHAEL MARTIN: How is the Twilight phenomenon sitting with you?
TAYLOR LAUTNER: It’s the weirdest thing. Nobody really saw it coming. I mean, we knew we were making a movie of a very popular book, but we didn’t know how well it was going to do. When it opened, it exploded, and that was not something any of us saw coming. Filming New Moon is a lot different than the first one because this time we know what we are getting into.
MARTIN: Do all the expectations psych you out?
LAUTNER: I don’t think so. It puts a little more pressure on us than it did before. But for the most part, it’s been a blast.
MARTIN: So what’s in store for Jacob?
LAUTNER: He’s a lot different than he was before. He transforms mid-story—in the first half, he’s Twilight Jacob. I’m wearing a wig. My character’s very clumsy, outgoing, and friendly. When he transforms into a werewolf, he becomes something very different. It’s like I’m playing a split personality. Which is tricky, because sometimes I’ve had to play pre- and post-transformation Jacob on the same day of filming.
MARTIN: You had to bulk up for the part.
LAUTNER: Absolutely. As soon as I finished filming Twilight, I knew I had to get to work right away; there could be no waiting involved. The day I finished Twilight, I came home and started bulking up. For New Moon, I’m 30 pounds heavier than I was in Twilight.
MARTIN: Do you feel like you’re walking around in a different body?
LAUTNER: I don’t at all. I haven’t noticed much of a change. I grew out of a lot of my clothes, though. I went from a men’s small to a men’s large.
MARTIN: Are you turning more heads?
LAUTNER: I don’t know. I should pay more attention to that. I hope so.
Good for Taylor … I’m so glad he got to keep his role. It’s clear that he was really intent on proving to producers that he was up for the challenge of playing the bulked up Jacob Black in the Twilight sequel and, as far as I can tell, it’s mission: accomplished. It really seems that he is growing into a fine strapping young man, isn’t he? This is a great magazine piece … the first of many, I’m sure. The kid seems really down to Earth … I just hope he stays that way. So … thoughts?
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Tags: Interview Magazine, Taylor Lautner
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July 16th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
the ‘bella snow’ typo was pretty lame.
July 16th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
@erin — Wow, I can’t believed they effed up her character name! I changed the copy and amended their mistake.
July 16th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
he has a fuzzy head
July 16th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Ive just reluctantly read the twilight saga and have to say i think taylor will be perfect as the role of jacob, im not sure if thats because i already had the image of him in my head when i was reading the books though.
July 16th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
[...] 17-year-old Taylor Lautner gained 30 pounds of muscle for his role in New Moon. [PITNB] [...]
July 16th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
its a good interview i wish i could leave a comment on the actual web site about the typo. where did they even get snow??
July 16th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
I really hope he goes far and breaks out of his pretty boy role that this movie has started him on the path of.
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July 16th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
I just finally got around to reading the series. I was basically forced into it and while the writing is ‘eh’, and obviously gear toward a demographic younger than me, I still enjoyed it! I think Taylor is perfect for the part of Jacob, even though in the book he was like 6′7, wasn’t he? In any event, watching the trailer for New Moon and the part where he stands up with his shirt off and has his hair all short……makes me feel funny in my pants. HAAAAAWWWWTTTT. I say, hawt. Is what I say!!!!
July 17th, 2009 at 4:49 am
I think he’s perfect for the role too. And he looks waaay better with the short haircut (I kinda hate long hair for men U_u)… unfortunately it’s hard to challenge Robert :Q__ , but if he tries without his shirt on well… I can give him a chance! |
July 17th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Taylor is gorgeous but what is going on with his hair? It looks awful.
July 17th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
I might be starting some kind of war here lol but not only is Jacob, as a character, much more interesting than Edward, we also get a much cuter actor to play him.
He’s absolutely gorgeous and Rob Pattinson doesn’t stand a chance next to him…Go Taylor!!!
July 17th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
I still can’t believe this guy is 17!!! Can’t wait to see New Moon!!!