2009 release date set for “New Moon”; Taylor Lautner may not play Jacob Black in “Twilight” sequel
News about “Twilight” sequel “New Moon” has been getting around faster than a vampire on the hunt, so I’m going to run through some of the developments here and then break down some of the details in subsequent posts.
Summit Entertainment has not only confirmed that Chris Weitz (“American Pie,” “About a Boy,” “The Golden Compass”) will take over the directorial duties for the sequel from “Twilight” helmer Catherine Hardwicke, the company also has announced a 2009 release date for “New Moon.”
According to multiple reports from the trade publications and movie sites, “New Moon,” the film version of the second book in Stephenie Meyer’s mega-popular vampire romance saga, will open in theaters Friday, Nov. 20, 2009.
That would keep the sequel in the same timeframe that was so successful for “Twilight”; the first film opened Nov. 20 with $69.6 million. (“Twilight” was the biggest beneficiary of Warner Bros.’ decision to move “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” to next summer, since Nov. 20 was the Boy Who Lived’s old release date.)
But the Nov. 21, 2009, release date gives Weitz just 11 months to get the movie shot, edited and its significant special effects completed. (“Twilight” screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg has already turned in a draft of the “New Moon” script.) That’s not much time, especially since the werewolf storyline in “New Moon” should necessitate many more effects shots than “Twilight” needed.
For the uninitiated, in “New Moon,” awkward human Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) is left heartbroken when her vampire boyfriend, Edward Cullen (red-hot heartthrob Robert Pattinson), leaves her over concerns about her safety. Bella takes solace in her burgeoning friendship with family friend Jacob Black – who turns out to be a werewolf.
Clearly, Summit wants to get more ”Twilight” films out pronto to capitalize on the series’ hungry, passionate fan base; the success of ”Twilight” put the fledgling company on the map. Also, Edward and his vampire family are supposed to be unchanging immortals, so there’s a certain urgency to get the sequels made before Pattinson and the rest of the young cast starts showing some age.
Still, Summit’s rush definitely presents a risk. The timetable was listed as the official reason that Summit and Hardwicke parted ways. (There’s also word floating around that creative differences played a part in the split.)
One of the chief complaints about “Twilight” was the poor quality of the special effects. With all those highly anticipated werewolf transformations coming, Summit and Weitz better improve that arena if they want to keep Meyer’s huge and opinionated fan base happy.
Weitz also has some big casting decisions to make – including an apparent search for a new Jacob Black. Taylor Lautner played Jacob in “Twilight,” but his name was left off of Summit’s press release about Weitz’s hiring.
MTV News confirmed that the omission was deliberate, quoting an unnamed Summit source as saying, “The casting decision in regards to the character Jacob Black has yet to be made.”
The reason: Lautner’s youth and slightness. In “New Moon,” Jacob’s body matures and grows exponentially as he taps into his wolfy side.
MTV also confirmed that Summit is looking at “Scorpion King 2″ actor Michael Copon, 26, to play Jacob in “New Moon.” Lautner is just 16.
Provided Summit and Weitz can meet the hurried timetable, Nov. 20, 2009, is a prime release date, coming just before the Nov. 26 Thanksgiving holiday.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, three other films are set to open Nov. 20, 2009: Warner Bros.’ “Sherlock Holmes,” starring Robert Downey and Jude Law and directed by Guy Ritchie; Sony’s animated feature “Planet 51,” voiced by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Seann William Scott and Jessica Beal; and MGM’s untitled Three Stooges project, which the Farrelly brothers are directing.
Whew. That hits the highlights of the “New Moon” news. Keep an eye on BAM’s Blog for further updates.
-BAM
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Comments
Hello
Taylor is a good jacob but isnt he playing the part where he is normal. . . ? and then the new guy comes in so . . . cant they put taylors face on his face ?…
Also. . . I hope Ben barnes gets the part and maybe get Will mosley !! 
.
Cheers
taylor lautner is jacob black.
changing cast will probably ruin the movie.
taylor is perfect as jacob black.
y michael copon? his way 2 old..
if not taylor, then they shud have put steven strait,
he and taylor are kinda similar.
i hope they’ll still reconsider taylor.
ok…i love taylor lautner as jacob black…i love the twilight series and honestly i cant stand michael copon…he is gorgeous and everything but he is way to old to play jacob black…taylor is what almost 17..he’ll grow up between now and the time production starts in march..so Chris Weitz calm down..put taylor lautner back on the cast list…or you will have some seriously pissed off fans who might not come see New Moon if you put a pretty boy who isnt that great of an actor[Michael Copon] which would make money go down
OMG!!!!! They can not replace taylor lautner as jacob!!!! He is so good as that role!!!!! It will wreck the movie so much!
I wonder if Summit knows how much this will anger the fans?! Because Taylor Lautner NEEDS to be Jacob Black. If they don’t cast him, it will screw up the movie. I hope they realize that they will lose many fans; I know I will have second thoughts about seeing the movie if they replace Taylor. He is perfect for the part. It seems to me like Summit is TRYING to ruin “New Moon”.
I wont watch the movie if Taylor’s not in it.
they can’t just change the actors, its lame and it never works! it
always makes people mad.
and Taylor is Jacobs age anyways,
that other guy waaay to old.
D=
Taylor should play Jacob. Changing characters between movies is a waste, and NEVER works. Also replacing Taylor would upset not only Team Jacob fans but the whole Twilight Fandom, which would cause money to go down.
Suummit trying to ruin New Moon? Now that’s a good laugh! I was wondering if Taylor even HAD any fans as Jacob in Twilight. Go burn me for all I care. He was the WORST and FIRST Jacob I ever saw. He doesn’t exactly stick as an unforgetable actor with that role. They need someone NEW to play Jacob Black. =)
I agree with Karen. Jacob is so ugly in Twilight and …. they need someone new…especially since he’s not going to grow FAST enough for New Moon and the other characters can’t wait for him to grow up…since when they’re old it’ll just ruin everything. (The vampires etc).
Please do not replace Taylor i have been following the series and i am expecting to see all the same actors in the next movie and so on when you get an image of what the characters look like in the movie and continue reading the books in order and so on you enjoy the movie better. when characters keep changing in a movie series then a person get turned off from ready the rest of the series or watching the movies cause nothing stays at it was in the beginning and its disappointing. so please do not change Taylor, this is the first books i have ever read and competed all the way through with out skipping any of the story, and i am watching the movies along with the ready as they come out, and i want to see the story continue with the same characters helps give a more sense of connection with the stories when the characters stay who they originally were in the first movie. i know i have constantly repeated my self about the same characters but i want my point made clear to not change Taylor he is the Jacob Black, it would be like changing Bella or Edward, you just can not do it Taylor plays a significant part in the next movie, again characters should stay the same….
and i will tell you something else native americans appear younger than most anyway so to portray the character as he should keeping TAYLOR as Jacob Black would be a better fit b/c he has the younger appearance.
Replacing Taylor as Jacob Black is a very very very STUPID move to make. They can make him look bigger or whatever they have to do. But if the fans opinions mean anything at all they will keep taylor!!! He is Jacob Black to me! I wont want to see anybody else in that part!!!!!
OMG! I have such mixed feelings Taylor has a perfect Jacob Black Charm but how would they get him to look older but keep Rob young looking with only 11 months left! i’m worried.
Taylor Lautner IS JACOB BLACK!! He is the perfect person for it!! Let him be JACOB BLACK!! New Moon will DEFINETELY not be as good if he’s not Jacob Black!! So let Taylor be Jacob!!!
I think they should replace him with Steven Strait. wow he is a dream boat. however if they dont use him i think they should stick with Taylor, I like him better then this Michael guy.
i think that taylor should be jacob black i also think that all the cullens should remain the same. if all movies are filmed within the next 3 years people don’t change a significant amount and can keep the whole unchanging immortal effect. But by changing the actors completely ruins the whole effect by far, far worse than having them age a bit. I just think all the characters should remain the same if they want the same ourcome that they had with twilight. There will be alot of pissed off fans if actors are changed. I will not be happy if any of the actors are changed. I read all the books picturing the actors that were in twilight it just ruins it if they are different.
I thought that Taylor Lautner did really well as Jacob Black. Besides, I thought he was really good at martial arts. So wouldn’t he not be too skinny? I guess it would be hard to make him appear to grow throughout the movie, but wouldn’t that be difficult for any actor they pick?
i think that they should keep Jacob BLACK THE WAY HE IS!!! Taylor does a REALLY GOOD JOB AS JACOB BLACK!! I REALLY THINK THEY ARE TRYING TO RUIN NEW MOON!! I will be very, very dissapointed if Taylor is not Jacob. Jacob was one of my favorite characters. I don’t want them to change the awesome “Twilight” saga!
I think that taylor is ugly but i do think that if they change him for someone else then it would make the movie bad. He does a good job at playing jacob black, he may be to short for the role but that doesnt matter. The movie already doesn’t go the way the book does so why worry about it now. So don’t take taylor out of the movie for the viewers sake.
OMG they CANT switch Taylor out! He was a PERFECT Jacob Black! If they change him for another guy, no matter who it is, my friends and I are NOT going to see the movie! I can’t belive this. Its going to wreak the WHOLE movie if they switch!
if micahel copon plays jacob in new moon
instead of taylor, i refuse to see it.
micheal is so arrogant and ignorant. he
made fun of taylor in an interview ! and
then called new moon ‘twilight 2′. 
If only Lautner were a real were wolf maybe he’d transform from a 16 year old kid to a well groomed and experienced hunk like Michael>>IN LESS THAN A YEAR…
It’s human nature to bitch and whine about change…But without change we’d still be stuck in the cave man ages…
Lautner is too young…Geez people don’t ruin such a good thing…
you cant change Jacob Black Now that is going to be so stupid let Taylor play Jacob or the movie will stink really bad i cant believe you people how lame can you be let Taylor play Jacob ……
I think jacob is ugly but he is a good character. they shouldnt change him or else it will ruin everything. especially ill get pist off not only me but the FANS TOOOO !!! ITS LIKE CHANGING THE CULLENS!!! please dont change him. make him do exersize and grow. LETS NOT CHANGE EVERYTHING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
Ok, seriously people, Taylor Lautner is and always be Jacob Black. Changing actors would be very stupid. All im gonna say is that if Taylor doesnt play Jacob im not going to see the movie. All they would have to do is try to make it seem like hes growing by using special effects. Think of the fans people. I mean, every body loves him and changing the character would like ruin the movie. So they should figure something out and make sure Taylor plays Jacob. The movie would bomb if you change him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i think taylor is perfect for jacob.changing actors messes everything up!!!and so wat if hes not big enough!!there wasnt all the details in the 1st movie!!!wats the differece?? taylor will always b jacob black. he is perfect and is the ONLY one who can pull it off.
I know that every young girl out there thinks that Taylor is a cutie and how it so bad that he might be replaced. But the true fans of the book understands that its all about Jacob.. He changes grows to a full man. I don’t believe that Taylor can pull it off. Sorry girl..but if you are a truly a fan..then you would understand the change. Keeping someone just because you like him..doesn’t make the movie. It happens all the time.
Granted Taylor is not the cutest one in the movie, but when you change the actor once the movie has already started you change the affect. If someone watched the first movie then went to see the second without knowing the director casted someone else, they are going to sit there and say who is this guy???? what happened to the long black haired kid? It throws everything off.
Taylor won’t cut it for New Moon. If you have even read the books, you know that Jacob grows to be almost 7 feet tall. He also ages quickly as a werewolf. Taylor has wayyyy too much of a baby face in my opinion.
Also, I hated his performance in Twilight… I just wanted to punch him in the face.
Who ever read the sequel knows that taylor is mostly the right one… you cant be changing actors, i’ve read all the books and i pictures taylor as jacob black and i know… and i think everybody knows… that he’s capable of keeping up… taylor must be jacob
TAYLOR LAUTNER IS JACOB BLACK!!!!!!!
TAYLOR LAUTNER IS JACOB BLACK!!!!!!!
TAYLOR LAUTNER IS JACOB BLACK!!!!!!!
TAYLOR LAUTNER IS JACOB BLACK!!!!!!!
TAYLOR LAUTNER IS JACOB BLACK!!!!!!!
Taylor is already the face of Jacob. I think it would be weird changing actors. But then again, Jacob Black is 6’7, and is supposed to look older than Bella and Edward. Why do people complain that Twilight wasn’t like the book? They’re trying to make New Moon fit the book by making the character fit Jacob Black. Remember that Jacob is in New Moon a lot, so it’s important that his character is perfect. Even though I love Taylor, I think it’s a better decision to replace him.
If only Taylor was born 2 years earlier… =/
wat the !!!! taylor is so jacob black
y change someone who is perfect in playing jacob
ok so he isnt the right hieght who cares i dont …special effects people or shoes u can make people look taller..besides jacob is suppose to have a baby face and a really good body in my opinion taylor has that look…replacing him is just wrong…ur gonna have lots of upset fans…KEEP TAYLOR!!!
We all don’t want to have Summit change actors, but be realistic. You’re going to go see the movie regardless. You can keep saying “Oh I’m totally not seeing it if Taylor’s not playing Jacob” Bull—-. And I’m pretty sure Summit knows that Twilight fans are going to want to see the movie regardless of who’s playing Jacob. I know I’m going to see it either way, Team Edward!
OK IF THEY CHANGED HIM EVRY1 WOULD B REALLY MAD! I WOULD HE IS PERFECT 4 THAT ROLE! AND I NO MOST OF ALL THE TWILIGHTERS LOVE HIM!
I agree, they should keep Taylor as Jacob. If he looks too young, then they should have thought of that from the get go
(from the first casting). If the person doing the casting did his/her homework, they would know that Jacob matures to about 25 years as shape-shifter. Also, if they do decide to replace Taylor (which I hope they don’t), they should find a Native American Indian not Filipino or otherwise.
I liked taylor lautner as jacob in the first movie, but I thought that Steven Strait off The Covenant would make an excellent jacob. that’s who I would pick
TAYLOR IS JACOB !
he is perfect for the part. he is working so hard to keep it . it would throw the whole movie off ; we love taylor!
atleast keep him for the normal jacob black [ before the change ! (: ]
I’m sorry but how the hell is Taylor Lautner ugly?
All of the people who are saying he is must be off their heads on the same thing that Kristin Stewart is taking.
Even Taylor is ugly, the rest of us must be damned. Whoever thinks he is ugly must have very, very, very, very, very high standards. Sheesh.
Please dont change the actor so many of me and my friends would not be happy at all!!
Taylor Lautner is perfect for the part.
DONT TAKE TAYLOR OUT ! that will be a very big mistake , me and some friends are getting ready to protest . As you can see people dont want taylor to be replaced ! so why should you go against what the fans want when they are the ones that watch the movies and give you the earnigs ! why why why ! am sure taylor can pull it off , to everybody taylor is perfect for it ! and they changed twilight alot so whats the point if taylor is not as muscled as the wolf in the book i have read all 4 books ! and taylor is the guy for this movie ! if you guys replace him by that idiotic moron Copon i will NOT watch the movies and my friend wich also love taylor will not either , so think before you act , cause this decison could be the end of twilights fame !
i honestley didnt like taylor in the movie at first but they change just change it..that would be dumb..unless they could absolutely not have him play the part like if he died or something but that would just ruin it..
i really hope hes jacob black in new moon he was good in twilight and the thing is why pick an actor to the play the role and then change it to a different person i hate it when directors do that!!!!
…i love taylor lautner so much…
…don’t ever try to replace him in “New Moon”…
…he’s really cute and cool when he plays the role of jacob black,in twilight…
…JACOB BLACK IS TAYLOR LAUTNER…
…TAYLOR LAUTNER IS JACOB BLACK…
…UNDERSTAND????…HUH!!
…micheal copon?…
…oOw…too old…
…taylor really fits the role…
…am i right?…hahah…
taylor will be replaced?…oOw…don’t destroy my imaginations as i read the twilight saga,….
taylor really sucks with his perfect fabuluos stunts….
we all know that he’s an athlete…he can do what werewolves do in the books…
the body of taylor sucks!!!!!
so hot…
Seriouly people if they can make Brad Pitt look like a grandpa in the curious case of Benjamin Buton then they can make Taylor look older and anyway didn’t it say in New Moon when Bella finds out Jacob is a werewolf that werewolfs don’t age either so they can just keep him looking the same and there is nothing wrong with Taylor playing Jacob. He is good for the part.
all i have to say is that taylor launtner is not a jacob……..if u look up pictues of an actor named steven strait…….itz obviouse that he is jacob
DO NOT change the actor for jacob black!!!!
if you do the producers or whoever is behind this HUDGE misstake will have love sick crazy teenage girls comming after you because you changed the actor!!!!
DONT DO IT!!!!!!!!
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!!!!!!!!!! 
TAYLOR IS JACOB AND NOT OTHER FRICKEN ACTORS THAT THINK THEY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am WORRIED i was before i saw twilight
mainly becaus i didnt want them to ruin the book
but i was happy with the outcome
CHANGING JACOB
BIG MISTAKE
why would they do that do they want to lose fans
i wont be happy if this happens
PLEASE DONT CHANGE JACOB
KEEP TAYLOR
IT WOULDNT BE RIGHT
KEEP JACOB
If Taylor Lautner isn’t Jacob Black you will loose hundreds of fans including me! you can’t do that! that’s like taking the apple flavor out of apple jacks! you just can’t do that!
i’m a HUGE taylor fan! PLEASE KEEP HIM!!
NO THAT IS STUPID THEY CANT HAVE ONE PERSON PLAY IN ONE MOVIE AND HAVE A ANOTHER DOOD PLAY IN THE NEXT ONE!!! THAT IS ABSURD!!!
KEEPPP TAYLOR
KEEPPP TAYLOR
KEEPPP TAYLOR
KEEPPP TAYLOR!!!
I think they should keep Taylor as Jacob. They’re idiots if they take him out Plus he worked a lot to get this part. If they don’t have him as Jacob I’m not gonna watch New Moon.=(
Team Jacob!!!
TAYLOR IS JACOB BLACK!!!!
YOU CAN NEVER REPLACE HIM HE IS THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN PLACK JACOB!!!!!!!!!! DO YOU GUYS NOT REALIZE YOU STARTED THE FIRST MOVIE WITH TAYLOR AND NOW YOU WANT TO CHANGE HIM!!! YOU ARE GOING TO LOSE ALLLLL OF YOUR FANS!!!!! PEOPLE HATE THEY HATE WHEN PEOPLE CHANGE PEOPLE!!!!!!DID YOU SEE HOW WELL HARRY POTTER DID AFTER THE PERSON THAT PLAYED DUMBALDORE DIED? LESS AND LESS PEOPLE WENT AND SAW IF BUT IF YOU GUYS DONT WANT MONEY FROM THIS MOVIE THEN TAKE TAYLOR AWAY FROM THE MOVIE!! BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT THERE WILL BE A LOT OF DISSAPOINTED PEOPLE OUT THERE HATTING YOU GUYS!!!
Honestly the best way to do this is to alternae roles..If the two actors taylor and michael is ok with it..Jacob can start off as small like bella once knew him and since there is such a striking resemblence when they smile they can switch it to michael after the point where in the book when jacob doesnt see bella for weeks..its good plotting..trust me =D
No! Whoever thought of changing jacob then they need to be fired cause taylor is perfect for jacob and he’s soooo hot! Ashley on and baby joy you both are so wroug! Get help! All the actors are perfect for the chareters! There is nothing wroug with them! Twilight is an amazing book with bite
oh no u guys are not replacin taylor lautner to the shit guy michel or steven
IF YOU WANNA MAKE MONEY DONT REPLACE HIM
IF U REPLACE HIM IM NOT GONNA WATCH THE FREAKIN MOVIE
JACOB IS TAYLOR
TAYLOR IS JACOB :]
and no one goes with jacob exept TAYLOR LAUTNER!!!!
Taylor IS Jacob Black. Changing the actors of the characters between movies never goes out well, and it really ruins the effect. Anyone older or younger for that matter won’t cut it. The idea in everyone’s minds when they read the novels and think of the film is picturing Taylor Lautner as Jacob Black. No need for changes, it will just make people angry. Why change when he is perfectly capable?