Earlier this week we saw photos of Robert Pattinson’s arrival in Japan as well as Kristen Stewart’s arrival … and today we learn that Taylor Lautner has also made his way to Japan as all three of the Twilight Saga stars were on hand for a press conference in Tokyo, Japan to promote their film Twilight which premiered there last night (which was actually today in Japan):

Yay! I love that Taylor is there in Japan as well … he may not have had a splashy arrival but his presence there is appreciated. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that I’m 100% Team Jacob (Taylor’s Twilight character) but I did champion his drive to retain the role he originated in Twilight and I’m happy that he will continue to portray Jacob in New Moon.

After the Twilight kids were finished doing promo work for the Japanese press, it was time to bundle up and brave the chilly rain to promote the movie and the film’s premiere later the same day. After the jump, check out a few photos from the Japanese premiere of Twilight last night …

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Earlier this month we got to see the official artwork for the Twilight movie DVD that is scheduled for release on March 21 (and can be pre-ordered from Amazon HERE). BUT, this week Borders Bookshop announced that it will sell an exclusive 2-disc version of the DVD that comes bundled with a whole bunch of extra goodies to satisfy even the most rabid Twilighter out there:

About the DVD:

Exclusive Photocards
10 exclusive photocards are printed on a gorgeous pearlescent paper to give a dramatic sparkly effect—the perfect way to view your favorite vampires

Oh man, pearlescent paper that SPARKLES you say? Shouldn’t it be more of a DAZZLING effect? Pshaw, whatever. No matter what effect the fancy photocards have, it really sounds like this version of the DVD has a bunch of really great bonus extras. I’m fairly certain that any Twilighter worth their salt will opt for this version over the standard, regular version … tho, the true fan will prolly end up buying both. How many of y’all have already placed your pre-orders?

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Late last week we learned that Dakota Fanning is in reported talks to appear in the upcoming Twilight sequel New Moon and today we have a bit of confirmation that the talks are underway. People magazine reports that Dakota believes that it would be a “fantastic experience” for her if she were able to secure a role in New Moon:

Dakota Fanning is ready to bare her fangs as vampire Jane in the Twilight sequel New Moon. “I really hope it works out,” Fanning, 14, told Hitfix.com while promoting her current thriller, Push. “It would be a really fantastic experience, I’m sure.” Just last week it was reported the young star was offered the role sans audition because director Chris Weitz is so confident that Fanning is right for the part. Talk about a perfect fit: A member of the deadly Volturi, the Jane character is described in a casting notice as a petite blonde with a “Botticelli angel-like face [and] crimson irises.” If everything falls into place, Fanning will join returning stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner. Filming begins in March in the U.S. and Italy, with New Moon set to open in November.

OK, so at this point we know that A.) the negotiations for her to play Jane are underway and B.) that she wants the role. Methinks the role is hers if the money is right. I understand that these negotiations usually come down to the money … and Dakota Fanning is already a big name (relative to the other actors thus far cast in Twilight and New Moon) so she’s gonna need a bit o’ change to sign on. Something tells me that they’ll pay up … for the most part, reaction to Dakota playing Jane has been really positive. I suspect we’ll hear an announcement soon (again, if the money is right) that the part is hers.

[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]

Hold on to your hats, Twilighters. A couple of weeks ago we learned from trusted sources (actress Ashley Green [who played Alice Cullen in Twilight] talking to People magazine, MTVNews) that High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgens had auditioned for the role of Leah Clearwater in the upcoming Twilight sequel New Moon. That news sent shockwaves thru the Twilightverse and was a source of much strife among fans of the Twilight Saga. Today we have more casting news … and it might cause the same sort of reaction from fans. The absolutely reliable Marc Malkin, of E! News, is reporting exclusively that Dakota Fanning is in talks to play Jane (one of the main vampire characters from the European Volturi clan). Even more surprising, I think, is that the report claims that Dakota didn’t even have to audition for the role … she was merely offered the part and both sides are now in negotiations to see if they can seal the deal. Be warned! The following report may contain spoilers for those of you who have yet to read the Twilight books:

Dakota Fanning…with fangs? It’s possible. I can exclusively report that the 14-year-old child star—she turns 15 on Feb. 23—is in talks to play Jane opposite Robert Pattinson & Co. in New Moon, the upcoming sequel to box office megahit Twilight. “There were no auditions,” a source reveals. “They just offered it to her outright, and now they’re in negotiations. They’ve been going back and forth.” Jane is a member of Italy’s Volturi, the most deadly group of bloodsucking killers in author Stephenie Meyer’s best-selling series. In the casting notice we got our hands on earlier this month, Jane is described as a petite blonde with a “Botticelli angel-like face…[and] crimson irises.” While fellow Volturi guards Demetri & Felix “are three times the size of her, they are terrified of her,” the casting notice reads. Coincidentally (or maybe not), an online petition started by a Twilight fan already asks the studio, Summit Entertainment, to cast Fanning because she would be “perfect” for the role. Early last month, Entertainment Weekly suggested Pushing Daisies star and Broadway diva Kristin Chenoweth. “Her voice is certainly high enough, and at 4′11”, she’s also short enough,” writer Amy Wilkinson proposed. Director Chris Weitz is expected to start shooting New Moon in March in the U.S. and Italy. If all goes as planned, the movie will hit theaters on Nov. 20.

I suppose we can forgive Malkin for thinking that the vampires in Twilight have fangs … but I absolutely believe his reporting on this casting news. He is very much in the know about these things and he is not one to post unsubstantiated information just to get attention. Whether or not Dakota gets the part remains to be seen but, it sounds like the role is hers if she wants it. I hadn’t considered Kristin Chenoweth as Jane … she’s prolly a bit too old to play the part but Malkin is right, she is short enough. I know that many Twilight fans were really upset at the prospect of Hudgens joining the cast of New Moon … but mebbe Fanning will be better received because it’s feasible that her casting sprang from an online petition started by a fan? What do y’all think? Is Dakota right for the part of Jane? Would you like to see her get the part?

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Now that the matter of Taylor Lautner retaining the role of Jacob Black in the upcoming Twilight sequel has been settled, we can move on to more pressing Twilight matters … like the Edward Cullen doll! Hot Topic, who brings us the official Twilight perfume, is offering the new Edward Cullen doll/action figure (depending on your gender) for pre-order for those of you interested in having your very own Edward to play with:

This Edward action figure features the sensitive vampire in his blue button-down shirt, jeans and grey pea coat. Beautiful articulation with movable limbs. Includes a Cullen crest. Imported. To guarantee arrival on or around 1/20, order by 1/13.

The doll/action figure is selling for $16.99 so ORDER NOW! See, what I don’t understand is why Hot Topic and the Twilight merchandising people waited until after Xmas to offer both the perfume and the doll … it makes more sense to offer them in time for Xmas shopping but, then again, rabid Twilighters don’t really need a reason to spend their money on this stuff. You deffo don’t want to be the last kid on the block to get your hands on one of these coveted dolls. I wonder if it’ll fit in a Barbie dreamcar/house? Anyone?

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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

- 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.

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Good news for fans of the movie version of Twilight … Summit Entertainment has revealed the official artwork for the upcoming DVD release of the megahit movie that was just released a couple of months ago … behold:

Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) doesn’t expect much when she moves to the small town of Forks, Washington, until she meets the mysterious and handsome Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson)—a boy who’s hiding a dark secret: he’s a vampire. As their worlds and hearts collide, Edward must battle the bloodlust raging inside him as well as a coterie of undead that would make Bella their prey. Based on the #1 New York Times best-selling sensation by Stephenie Meyer, Twilight adds a dangerous twist to the classic story of star-crossed lovers.

The DVD artwork looks pretty standard, no big surprises … interesting, tho, that the “bad guys” are featured on the DVD artwork even tho they weren’t in the film very much. I might’ve featured the Cullen family instead but, I suppose it doesn’t really matter. As yet, there has been no release date announced for the Twilight DVD but now that we know what the artwork will look like, I suspect a release date is imminent. So Twilighters … do we like?

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