Caffeinated Clint
Updated! : THR has confirmed that Lautner is keeping his gig. ”Summit and director Chris Weitz said Wednesday they will bring back Taylor Lautner to play the werewolf Jacob Black in “Twilight” sequel”, says the trade.
Michael Copon might want to start sending out his head-shot to other productions outside Summit – EW hears the young actor is unlikely to snag the ‘Jacob’ gig on “New Moon”, the heavily-anticipated sequel to girly smash “Twilight” – something many assumed he had in the bag.
Taylor Lautner (TVs “My Own Worst Enemy”) played the character of Jacob Black in the first film, but since the character has significantly more screen time in the sequel, and is not to mention more buff, producers were considering recasting the character with someone a little taller, and bulkier – with Copon, best known for his role in “The Scorpion King 2 : Rise of a Warrior”, strongly favoured to be that go-to guy.
”Jacob is a totally different character in New Moon,” says Melissa Rosenberg, screenwriter of both Twilight films. ”He’s a foot taller and huge—and he’s supposed to look 25. It’s really a question of whether or not the same actor can play the role.”
According to EW though, Lautner – who has apparently hit the gym in an effort to show the producers he can add muscle where it matters – may have retained the gig.
The magagzine has confirmed that the actor has not only met with director Weitz, but was even screen-tested for chemistry with Kristen StewÂart. ”I’m very hopeful,” a New Moon insider says of Lautner. ”We’re not looking at anybody else.”
