Perez Hilton recently reported that “Twilight” director Catherine Hardwicke has been replaced for the film’s sequel “New Moon” by director Chris Weitz (“The Golden Compass”).

Next in line to be potentially replaced is Taylor Lautner, who Blast already mentioned could be getting booted from his role as Jacob. Hilton said that actor Michael Copon (“The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior”) is a possible candidate for the role.

Both actors have stated their interest in the character, with Lautner promising in an interview with MTV to gain 10 more pounds to flesh out Jacob.

The character of Jacob is supposed to physically look like a 25 year old and grow a lot taller and bulkier in “New Moon,” whereas in “Twilight” he is just an average 16 year old.

Summit Entertainment has not released a statement confirming or denying that Lautner will be replaced for “New Moon.”

Both “New Moon” and “Twilight” are based on the best-selling teen vampire novels by Stephenie Meyer.

About The Author

Terri Schwartz was a Blast Contributing Editor from 2008-2009.

49 Responses

  1. kate luvs Edward, Jasper, Emmett and Jacob

    i think they should keep Taylor Lautner, i mean he’s got thousands of fans all over the world, could you imagen what those screaming fan girls will do if Lautner get’s replaced? Yes Lautner’s a lil’ bit small, but isn’t ashley a bit tall, no-one is perfect. Lautner may not be tall enough but he IS Jacob, he didn’t have much of a part in the first movie but he still made Jacob what he is.
    Taylor IS Jacob

    Reply
  2. Delphine

    They HAVE to keep Taylor Lautner. First, because he’s perfect as Jacob Black. Second, because he has hundreds of thousands of fans supporting him, who threatened (me first!) to boycott the movie if he wasn’t give the part. Third, Michael Copon is more a body than an actor. Last but not least, because Taylor is the face of Jacob in everyone’s mind now: he was in Twilight, he did the promo, was in most of the interviews and photoshoots, so what’s the point? Everyone thinks he’s fine, why do they want to replace him? As Ashley said so herself, if they change Taylor because he’s not tall enough, then why don’t they change her? She’s way taller than Alice. Or Rosalie, who does not look blonde at all.
    Taylor IS Jacob.

    Reply
  3. jocy

    no way! he;s perfect as jacob black! if the were to get replaced, i can’t wear my “team Jacob” shirt with pride anymore!!
    i dont’t know what he doesnt have to not play Jacob…

    Reply
  4. Robin

    How ridiculous! I am not a young teen girl hot for Taylor, I am a 34 yr old who has read all of the books and believes Taylor IS Jacob. He is the perfect role. His demeanor as well as his looks are perfect for what I pictured reading the books. I truly do not believe his size has any bearing on the film – if you can see the character in the actor, then it is the right choice. Why mess up a good thing?

    Reply
  5. Lilly

    OMG u need to keep taylor as jacob! i will like seriously cry if they don’t and i won’t go see the movie! it won’t be same with out him. TAYLOR IS JACOB! he played him in the first movie so he must play him in this one and the future ones!

    Reply
  6. Jessie

    They can’t replace him!!!! NO Friggin’ way! Hes way too awesome an hes already dine Twilight and they can’t use a whole nother actor! it just won’t work! They need to keep him….all he has to do is gain some muscle…there easy. And what about his fans? they can’t get jipped like that!!!!! KEEP TAYLOR!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  7. Carlie

    If Taylor is replaced, then the film will loose half it’s audience. I deny watching it if Taylor is not in the film and I’m not even Team Jacob, I’m Switzerland. There’s no need to replace him. If you agree with me sign this petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/Taylor17/petition.html
    And I will also protest if they replace him. Michael hasn’t even read all the books, he used cliff notes wtf?!?!?!?! I agree with everyone who says he’s cocky. I mean come on he needs to have some respect and be a little more mature. I’m not going on him and saying I hate him, but what he’s said and done just makes me strongly dislike him. In the end with all due respect to him and his fans, I don’t like him and he can’t be Jacob. NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER etc., if he even tried.

    Reply
  8. shelby

    if they replace him i will never watch the movie its not the same if you don’t have the same actors and if they do replace him just saying they will lose a lot of viewers and they probably don’t want to do that do they?

    Reply
  9. Danielle

    I swear if they replace Taylor I am so boycotting! Taylor is so perfect for the role and there so many special effects avaiablw now a days that it have to be a problem!I mean look at what they did with brad Pitt in that Benjamin button movie, surely if they can can turn him into an 80 year old baby they can make taylor taller.

    Reply
  10. Danielle

    They better keep Taylor Lautner.

    I hate Michael Copon, he can NOT act and would ruin the part. Taylor does an amazing job at playing Jacob, so I really hope they don’t replace him.

    Ill be really annoyed if they do. Taylor is a way better choice than Copon would be. Copon would just ruin the movie.

    Reply
  11. christine

    If they were to replace jacob, then I would want to replaced Rosalie, she`s not beautiful, her body looks like an old lady

    Reply
  12. e...

    if taylor doesnt play jacob, i will probably CRY. after we saw twilight my friend was like ‘hey new moon will be ur movie’ coz i loved jacob, and if taylors not in it then new moon will NOT be my movie.

    Reply
  13. Wendilynn

    Summit spent a lot of time and money promoting Taylor as Jacob without a hint that they would replace him for an older looking Jacob. The fan base has become attached. I realize that Summit is expecting the fanbase to do the same thing with the Jacob character as they did for Robert after they got used to him being Edward. But there is a big difference between the two situations. No one else was ever Edward on screen, while Taylor has been Jacob. Summmit also failed to prep its audience with labeling Taylor as “the younger looking Jacob”. Instead they pushed him out to every interview and mall event as THE Jacob. Even now, he was just in Austrailia for a Twilight convention. Personally, I think he was perfectly cast. I’ve seen Taylor’s other work and loved him. When I heard he was cast as Jacob I thought it was great. I have complete confidence that he can pull off playing Jacob throughout the other three movies.

    Reply
  14. Asma

    UTTER STUPIDITY.
    UTTER UTTER STUPIDITY.

    Jacob fits perfectly as Jacob, no matter what people say.
    Michael is nowhere near.

    Reply
  15. lynnette

    They have to replace Taylor because he doesn’t fit the part physically for New Moon. He has to look 26 years old and has to grow to almost 7 feet, Taylor is not 26 and too short. We can only go so far with special effects. Taylor was perfect for Twilight. But I really want the summit guys to stay true to the book – – therefore Taylor has to go. Taylor is young, he will find future work.

    Reply
  16. Sally

    Michael Copon is perfect for this role, and I think it’s unfortunate that people are hating on him, before a decision has even been made. If they decide to recast the role, it’s nothing against Taylor, and that’s just ridiculous if people don’t see the movie because of a casting decision in line with the book. Also, Michael is a great actor as well as good looking, and people should be happy for either actor who gets the role as they are both talented and fortunate to have the careers that they have.

    Reply
  17. Ambreen Black Lautner

    TAYLOR SHOULD NOT BE REPLACED!!!!!!
    HE WAS FINE IN THE FIRST MOVIE AND HIS SIZE SHOULDNT MATTER!!!!! THAT MICHEAL FAG ISNT JACOB!!!! TAYLOR IS JACOB!!!!!!!! WHAT ABOUT THE MILLIONS OF TAYLOR/JACOB FANS!!!!! SUMMIT IS GONNA LOSE ALOT OF MONEY IF TAYLOR IS REPLACED!!! I REFUSE TO SEE THE MOVIE IF TAYLOR IS REPLACED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHY DONT THEY REPLACE KIRSTEN STEWART?? SHE SUCKS!! SHE CANT ACT! HER EXPRESSION DIDNT CHANGE THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE MOVIE!! SHE DOESNT PORTRAY THE ROLE OF VULNERABLE, CLUMSY BELLA!!!!!! WHAT ABOUT HER??? WHY DO THEY WANNA REPLACE THE GOOD ACTOR????

    I FOUND OUT ABOUT TAYLOR BEING REPLACED ON MY BIRTHDAY ON THE 17th AND IT RUINED MY WHOLE DAY!!!!!!!

    TAYLOR IS JACOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    HE CANT BE REPLACED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  18. Ambreen Black Lautner

    IM A HUGEEEEE TAYLOR FAN AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO NEW MOON THE MOST BECAUSE WE WERE SUPPOSED TO SEE ALOT OF TAYLOR IN IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    BUT IF TAYLOR IS REPLACED WITH MICHEAL THE NEXT THREE MOVIES WILL LOSE THEIR JACOB BLACK CHARM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    WHY DOESNT SUMMIT REALIZE THAT THEYRE MAKING A HUGEEEEEEEEEEEE MISTAKE BY REPLACING TAYLOR???!?!???!??!!!!!!!!!!!????!?

    I WILL SERIOUSLY CRYYYYYY IF TAYLOR IS REPLACED!!!!
    I LOVE HIM TOO MUCH!!!!
    HES SUCH A GREAT ACTOR AND HES DOWN TO EARTH AND HE CARES FOR HIS FANS AND HE DOESNT DESERVE THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    TAYLOR IS JACOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  19. Ileana

    I think that Summit Entertainment is doing a huge mistake. Taylor Lautner should say in the sequence of Twilight, like everybody has said, he already has a lot of fans, and they were ready to see more Taylor Launter being Jacob Black, its useless replace him in New Moon and bring him back in the other movies, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn. There is no point in replacing Taylor, with Micheal, that dude is uglyyyyy!!! Taylor hopefully will stay to be Jacob in New Moon, the other dude in the interviews basically dissed Taylor in his interview, he hasnt even read the book!. TAYLOR LAUNTER SHOULD STAY AND BE JACOB BLACKK IN NEW MOON! thats all i need to say.

    Reply
  20. Danielle

    IF THEY REPLACE TAYLOR LAUTNER NO MATTER HOW BIG OF A TWILIGHT FAN I AM(and ask anyone i know i would take a bullet for the book) I WONT WATCH NEW MOON. One of the reasons they casted him was because of his smile. Dont u think that when he smiles u just want to smile too!? So what he’s too short! who cares!! okey i know its a big part but SERIOUSLY!!!!! SUMMIT IF U REPLACE HIM PEOPLE WILL GO INSANE(i am one those people)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  21. Lynne

    Taylor IS Jacob to fans of the series, he could wear shoe lifts or something to make him taller, but they should not consider replacing him, no way, it would ruin the movie.

    Reply
  22. TWILIGHTLOVER

    In the first movie I think Taylor was so amazing and he really captured the character of Jacob Black. That is really good that he is bulking up for new moon, but if he doesnt fit the physical role of Jacob then they could always fix it with special effects. With today’s technology it would be so easy to do. They shouldn’t fire him just because he isnt an exact look alike. I mean look at Robert Pattison, he is really hot I have to admit but Edward is suposed to be like a greed god. There is no one hot enough to play Edward Cullen. That didnt stop them from casting him though. Taylor is the PERFECT Jacob Black!!

    **LONG LIVE THE BLACK PACK**

    Reply
  23. serena

    they should most definetly keep taylor.
    he is perfect for the role.
    and i dont want some stranger playing jacob…
    i want TAYLOR!

    Reply
  24. lizybeth

    i think they should definetly keep talyor cause he look good for his part as a werewolf….they shouldnt replace him if they did i think new moon will suck….so keep him new director Chris Weitz …plz

    i want taylor to be jacob for all the movies….<333

    i <33 u taylor…<33

    Reply
  25. Nicole

    Well, I do agree that Jacob is supposed to look like a 25 year old but I always pictured his body built as a 25 year old whereas his face still resembled a sixteen or seventeen year old. I don’t think casting someone older would be succesful beacuse I don’t think he’ll look like a teenager in all actuality. And a teenager is what he is, not an adult, so why cast one?

    Reply
  26. Robin

    I love the Twilight books, but I did not like the movie so much. The only reason I liked it was because of Taylor Lautner. If I went to see New Moon, it would only be to make fun of the new guy, whoever it might be.

    Reply
  27. mrs. lautner

    If they replace Taylor, I am SO not seeing New Moon or any of the other movies. Taylor is perfect for Jacob, and not just because he’s gorgeous…because he’s exactly how I imagined Jacob would look before I even saw Taylor for the first time, and I desperately want to see how he’ll take on Jacob’s bigger role in the upcoming movies.

    My hypothesis: It will be AMAZING with Lautner, horrible with that Copon guy. He is NOT my Jacob!!

    Reply
  28. Babs

    I’m with Lynette and Sally. Taylor fit the part for Twlight but not for New Moon, Eclipse or Breaking Dawn. The film makers should stay true to the material and not cast someone just because rabid fans like him. I feel that Taylors fans are doing a disservice to the creative process by insisting that he remain just because they love him. This is about making a movie that is true to the book. It is not a popularity contest. I am sure that Taylor is a wonderful guy and I wish him all the best but I don’t feel that he is right for the part.

    Reply
  29. Katie

    They shld DEFFINATELY keep Taylor as Jacob!!!! He is PERFECT!!! when i read the books,, i picture jacob as taylor!!!! it wld b soooo ridiculous if they replaced him!!! anddd i thinkit wld b crazy 2 have 1 guy in the first movie …then replace him in the sequel!!! taylor LOOKS prefect 4 the part so size shldnt matter!!!!!!

    Reply
  30. Kat

    I don’t see why the producers and director even entertained the thought of replacing Taylor. He IS Jacob Black, even off screen. Even though he was in only 4 shots in Twilight, he made such an impact that some people even stated he was more memorable than some of the other characters who had bigger roles in the movie. It would be foolish and suicidal for Summit to drop Taylor as Jacob. He doesn’t only have teen fans.

    Reply
  31. Shelby Rose

    No one has seen Lautner’s body so he WOULD look more muscled because Jacob Black RARELY wears his shirt and honestly like I’ve written many times IT WILL CONFUSE PEOPLE and besides Lautner already looks like he could be 20-some and the other actors are like 20-some and they play 17 year old so I think if they can play down ages Lautner for sure can play up ages.

    Reply
  32. Rosey Lautner

    if they take taylor off
    im not goin 2 c new moon
    my frnds are protesting 2
    and dats like 20 ppl
    they cant put michael copon hes not taylor
    besides taylor looks like 22 or something

    Reply
  33. Jen

    I’m NOT even in team jacob! COME ON! Rehiring is UTTER STUPIDITY! NOT FAIR to Stephenie Meyer at all because if Lautner gets replaced, a whole chunk of fan base is gonna come off, and twilight saga plummets at box office, sales gets affected, impression of the books goes down, and so does Stephenie Meyer’s hard work. Conclusion: for heaven’s sake. DO. NOT. REHIRE. thank you.

    TAYLOR LAUTNER LOOKS LIKE A FREAKIN’ WEREWOLF ON HIS OWN. PERRRFECT FOR THE ROLE!!! NO? FITS THE DESCRIPTION EXCELLENTLY! FROM APPEARANCE DOWN TO CHARACTER AND PERSONALITY!!!!!

    Reply
  34. ♥TEAM EDWARD♥Jasper rox!Emmetz hot!

    i may not be a huge fan of jacob in stephenie mayer’s bookz, infact i hate him, but after i saw the movie evry time i read the book i picture taylor lautner as jacob. nobody really carez if jacobz a little short in the movie!!!! like come on sumit!!!! TAYLOR LAUTNER SCREAMS JACOB BLACK!!!!!!!! and come on!!! micheal copon!!!!!!! r u insane?!?!?! the scorpian king 2 suckz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! like seriously r u evn freaken joking me?!?!?! try 2 make him jacob is a totally lost coz. the guy cant evn act!!! and if sum it is just trying 2 be cheap and not use some animation 2 make taylor lautner look taller or something, then they r seriously messed. and switching a character like jacob now would screw up the hole movie!!!!! just think, u switch him now but then he totally screwz up new moon. then they would just switch bak 2 taylor screwing up our beloved series evn more!!!! people wouldnt mind waiting longer 4 a better movie. DONT BE CHEAP SUMIT!!!!!! TAYLOR LAUTNER SCREAMS JACOB BLACK!!!!!!!!! DONT B STUPID!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  35. Jacob Black = Taylor Lautner

    kk Bebs i think that u need 2 get a life and not bother leaving comments on this site. just cuz u drool ovr the fag copon dude who u KNOW cant evn act but and is totally ugly, doesnt mean that he’s the right part 4 jacob black. jacob has 2 look like an aberiginal personz right??? taylor lautner doz, fag copon doesnt. jacob has 2 be able 2 comfort bella wen her edward leavez. fag copon would scare kristen stewart right out of the studio. while taylor would actully draw her in w his AMAZING smile. almost….ok thatz being 2 nice,….EVERY Twilight fan pictured taylor lautner as jacob wen they read the book!!! i bet evn the people who r now against him (like u) did 2 until u saw ur fag copon and said ‘OMG THIS GUY IS TOTALLY HOT!!! I WANT 2 SEE HIM IN A MOVIE!!! Y NOT TWILIGHT!!!!!!!!’ NOBODY likes that fag copon and NOBODY
    wants 2 watch him ruin OUR Twilight just cuz u find him attractive. im not a fan of jacob. i dont particularly like him in the bookz. but taylor is the only 1 who fitz the jacob description PERFECTLY!!!!

    COME ON SUMIT DONT SCREW UP OUR MOVIE OVR SOMETHING AS STUPID AS TAYLOR’Z HIGHT!!!! TAYLOR 4 JACOB BLACK!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  36. Esther

    I am a 30 year old woman who LOVES all 4 books and i strongly feel that Talyor IS JACOB BLACK!! i hated him the first few books and was a team edward fan all the way..but after the movie i just fell in love with Jacob and that was ONLY BECAUSE TALYOR LAUTNER IS AN AMAZING JACOB BLACK!! that will never change!!! TEAM TAYLOR BLACK ALL THE WAY!

    Reply
  37. Kaylee

    Are you people serious? No one is replacing Taylor. He already gained 15 pounds for twilight and he is gonna gain more. I mean he doesn not look 16 once on a tyra show she thought he was in his 20’s and guess wat no one cares about the height!! Taylor lautner is already Jacoub in everyone’s mind!!!! Taylor is Jscob. Replacing him is like replacing robbert pattersion!!! I mean u picked him at first place because he was teh best!!!!! TAYLOR LAUTNER IS JACOB BLACK!!!!!!!!!! No one can deny that!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  38. Kaylee

    Omg im writing again caz i just read all he comments and wtf are thopse people that dont want taylor lautner thinking. WTF i mean he is Bella’s sun in New MOON nd like someone saud before when he smiles everyone wants to smile!!! His smile is teh way i picture Jacob will smile!!!!! Also i hope those people know that i liek him not just caz he’s hot nd gourgeous but he is Jaocb. Taylor lautner and Jacob black is one person. The represents each other. I mean all those people that says hes too babyish but does he really look 16 to you? ANd remember is you acctually read teh books like Taylor did then you will know that he was suppose to look like regular Jacob in the begining. No one can possibly grow that fast. WHo do you think you are to say Taylor isnt Jacob. JAcob is Taylor. Taylor is Jacob. Everyone like i said before already knows Taylor as JAcob. DO NOT CHANGE HIM WITHOUT THE FANS OPINION!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  39. Team Lautner!

    PLEASE!!! THE ONLY REASON THEY WANNA REPLACE TAYLOR WITH COPON(WHO THE HELL IS HE?) IS BECAUSE WITH COPON THEY CAN REDUCE THE USE OF MAKE-UP! HE IS ALREADY THAT BROWN! oh common! when i read the saga., i imagined JACOB looking like Taylor. AND I TELL YOU I DONT LIKE IT TO BE RUINED! so common you guys! vote on this one., you can always make him look that like JACOB in your minds., trust me., the prosthethics would work., he only needs to grow taller right…

    Reply
  40. raisa

    i think they should keep him.

    by the time they finish filming, he’ll look older anyway!

    Reply
  41. Chevonne'

    I do NOT think they should replace taylor… taylor is Jacob! he fits the part… do u know how many fans he has? how many viewers will they lose, just by replacing taylor? i dont even know if new moon is worth watching without taylor… he was introduced in twilight they cant jst forget about him… plus he has promised to put on more muscle by the time they start filming!! DO NOT GET RID OF TAYLOR!! he is the one and only jacob!
    they could always just cast Michael Copon as another warewolf such as paul…

    Reply
  42. Chevonne'

    as you can see… by the majority of waht people are saying here… no one wants to even see new moon without taylor… why would we want to go see michael copon… wens hes the one hu stole lautners place? Taylor looks bout the age of 22 or so anywaes… plus he will look older by filming too!! they are going to lose so many fans and viewers! i havnt even read one comment yet saying they would rather have lautner replaced… so that should definately be taken into acount!

    Reply
  43. Amanda:]

    Okay, Taylor FITS Jacob. So what if they need make-up. People get attached to him as Jacob. If they change him, people are just gonna get pissed off. I will feel so bad for Taylor if he DOES get replaced. I’ve loved him since Sharkboy and Lavagirl. xD. When they do need the special effect, ITS CALLED FRICKEN CIG…. or whatever it is. xD

    NEVER.MESS.WITH.TAYLOR.FAN.GIRLS!

    Reply
  44. Sydney

    OMG! You know, I love the Twilight saga don’t get me wrong, but I totally thought that almost all of the actors/actrsesses were the wrong choise. The only ones that I liked were Kellan Lutz (Emmett), Cam Gigandet (James)…and Taylor Lautner. I don’t even like Jacob in the book, but Taylor has grown on me. If he isn’t in this movie, there is a possibility that I ‘m not going to watch it. All of the actors suck, and if this movie is as cheesey as Twilight, without him there, it’ll suck!!!!!!!!!! Summit knew what was coming in the book, so if they didn’t think that he was perfect like I know we all do, then they should’ve cast someone else! TAYLOR IS JACOB AND NOT OTHER ACTORS THAT THINK THEY KNOW HOW TO PLAY HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  45. Stori

    Hey, i think no matter who plays jacob as long as u keep robert pattinson and the main meening of Twilight then the movie will b great. I loved the first movie and ive read all the books and at first i thought that taylor was to inexperienced to play jacob(i mean seriously he was sharkboy…) but when it comes down to it he did a great job so no matter what happens i am going to c the movie and anyways im all for the vampires! 🙂

    Reply

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