Confirmed: Taylor Lautner To Howl In ‘New Moon’

Updated 2:00 PM EST, Thu, Jan 8, 2009

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Taylor Lautner will be reprising his role as Jacob Black in the “Twilight” sequel, “New Moon,” series author Stephenie Meyer confirmed on her Web site on Wednesday.

“I was very much a part of this decision,” she wrote on her blog, which also included a note from director Chris Weitz announcing the news.

“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,” Chris wrote. “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.”

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In the novel “New Moon,” Jacob becomes a werewolf – and grows up a bit.

“Jacob is a totally different character in ‘New Moon,’” Melissa Rosenberg, screenwriter of both “Twilight” films, told Entertainment Weekly on Tuesday. “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.”

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But apparently Lautner, who reportedly has already gained 19 pounds for the role, is the man – or wolf – for the job.

“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,” Stephenie wrote. “And I’m very much looking forward to seeing what he’s going to bring to Jacob’s character this year.”

“New Moon” begins production in March, with a targeted November release date.

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