Taylor Lautner will be back as Jacob Black in “New Moon”
Taylor Lautner arrives at the Nov. 18 premiere of “Twilight” in Los Angeles. (Associated Press photo)
Taylor Lautner will be back.
Lautner and fans of Stephenie Meyer’s mega-popular “Twilight” saga - especially those who have aligned themselves with “Team Jacob” - finally have an answer to weeks of speculation over who would play Jacob Black in the sequel “New Moon.”
“New Moon” director Chris Weitz today posted a message on Meyer’s Web site that Lautner will reprise the role of Jacob in the sequel, due out in theaters Nov. 20. Lautner played the part of heroine Bella Swan’s (Kristen Stewart) BFF in in the film version “Twilight”; the big-screen adaptation of the first book in Meyer’s four-book series was a huge hit in late ‘08.
“I’m very happy to announce that Taylor Lautner will be playing Jacob Black in New Moon and that he’s doing so with the enthusiastic support of Summit Entertainment, the producers, and Stephenie Meyer,” Weitz writes on www.stepheniemeyer.com.
“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. 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. I think that fans of Twilight the book and the movie will be surprised by the Jacob Black that Taylor will bring to the screen in New Moon; and I’m looking forward to working with him and the rest of the cast in realizing the film.”
Meyer adds that she was very involved in and pleased by the decision: “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.” (You can read more of Meyer’s thoughts on the topic on her site.)
The franchise’s legion fans - and presumably Lautner - have been anxiously awaiting this news since Summit confirmed last month that it was still considering its options when it came to casting Jacob Black. Stewart and Robert Pattinson were already locked in to reprise their roles in the sequel.
In “New Moon,” awkward human teenager Bella Swan (Stewart), is heartbroken and despondent when her boyfriend Edward Cullen (Pattinson) leaves her over concerns for her safety. (After all, romancing a blood-sucking immortal isn’t exactly the best way to extend your life expectancy.) In his absence, Bella’s friendship with her American Indian pal Jacob Black grows, but is then put in jeopardy when Jacob discovers he and some of the other members of his tribe are werewolves.
In Meyer’s story, as Jacob gets in touch with his wolfy nature, his human body grows exponentially from a slight teenager into a burly, nearly 7-foot-tall man who looks much older.
Those physical change was the crux of Summit’s concerns: Lautner, who turns 17 in February, looks like a slim, baby-faced teenager in “Twilight,” which made him perfect for the first film. But the filmmakers were concerned about him pulling off the hulking wolfman look.
“Jacob is a totally different character in New Moon,” Melissa Rosenberg, screenwriter of “Twilight” and “New Moon” told EW.com. “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.”
EW.com reports that Rosenberg was quick to add that “everyone would love to keep him. We all think he’s the loveliest person ever.”
Lautner - who did look just a bit bigger at the film’s fall press day than he did in his “Twilight” scenes, especially without the long wig - reportedly has gained 19 pounds since “Twilight.” According to EW.com, Lautner promised Weitz he would pack on 10 more pounds before shooting starts on the sequel in March.
Lautner told MTV News in a red-carpet interview that it is part of his job as an actor to pull off his character’s transformation: “My job for ‘Twilight’ was to bring ‘Twilight’ Jacob to life - the friendly, happy-go-lucky little Jacob. My job for ‘New Moon’ is completely different. I’ve been looking forward to that. I’ve been getting ready for it, and I can assure them I will follow through with that.”
I’ve been tracking the Lautner situation here at BAM’s Blog for the past few weeks, and most of the “Twilight” fans who have commented expressed their desire to keep Lautner as Jacob. What do you think now, Twilighters? Are you pleased? Â
-BAM
Taylor Lautner may keep role in “New Moon”; Summit expected to announce choice soon
Taylor Lautner as Jacob Black in “Twilight”Â
Taylor Lautner and “Twilight” fans should know soon whether the 16-year-old actor will get to reprise the role of Jacob Black in the upcoming sequel “New Moon,” set for November release. (Yes, Twilighters, “New Moon,” if it stays on schedule, is just 11 months away. Mark your calendars now, if you haven’t already.)
According to EW.com, Summit Entertainment is expected to announce this week whether Lautner will keep the role he played in the fall blockbuster “Twilight,” despite major changes to the character’s appearance in the second story of Stephenie Meyer’s mega-popular four-book series.
The franchise’s legion fans - and presumably Lautner - have been anxiously awaiting news since Summit confirmed last month that it was still considering its options when it came to casting Jacob Black. Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson are locked in to reprise their roles in the sequel.
In “New Moon,” the series’ heroine, awkward human teenager Bella Swan (Stewart), is heartbroken and despondent when her boyfriend Edward Cullen (Pattinson) leaves her over concerns for her safety. (After all, romancing a blood-sucking immortal isn’t exactly the best way to extend your life expectancy.) In his absence, Bella’s friendship with her American Indian pal Jacob Black grows, but is then put in jeopardy when Jacob discovers he and some of the other members of his tribe are werewolves.
In Meyer’s story, as Jacob gets in touch with his wolfy nature, his human body grows exponentially from a slight teenager into a burly, nearly 7-foot-tall man who looks much older.
That change really gets to the crux of Summit’s concerns: Lautner, who turns 17 in February, looks like a slim, baby-faced teenager in “Twilight,” which made him perfect for the first film. But the filmmakers are concerned about him pulling off the hulking wolfman look.
”Jacob is a totally different character in New Moon,” Melissa Rosenberg, screenwriter of “Twilight” and “New Moon” told EW.com. ”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.”
EW.com reports that Rosenberg is quick to add that ”everyone would love to keep him. We all think he’s the loveliest person ever.”
Lautner - who did look just a bit bigger at the film’s fall press day than he did in his “Twilight” scenes, especially without the long wig - has been making his case to keep the role.
Not only has he met with “New Moon” director Chris Weitz (who is taking over for “Twilight” director Catherine Hardwicke), he has gained 19 pounds since “Twilight.” According to EW.com, Lautner promise to pack on 10 more pounds before shooting starts on the sequel in March.
Lautner told MTV News in a red-carpet interview that it is part of his job as an actor to pull off his character’s transformation: ”My job for ‘Twilight’ was to bring ‘Twilight’ Jacob to life - the friendly, happy-go-lucky little Jacob. My job for ‘New Moon’ is completely different. I’ve been looking forward to that. I’ve been getting ready for it, and I can assure them I will follow through with that.”
While EW.com reports that “Team Jacob” fans are sharply divided over whether Lautner should reprise the role, most of the comments here on BAM’s Blog indicate that fans want to see Lautner back as Jacob, even if filmmakers need to use special effects to help the actor look more the part.
And let’s be honest, even if the filmmakers go with another older, bulkier actor - Michael Copon (”The Scorpion King 2″) and Steven Strait (”10,000 B.C.”) are the ones who have been most discussed as possible replacements - they’re not going to find one that’s 7-feet-tall. So, some FX or concessions will have to be made, which is always the case when it comes to adapting a book - even a passionately loved one - to the big screen.
Speaking of this year’s big movies, check back Friday when my colleages George Lang, Matt Price and I list our 16 most anticipated movies of 2009.
-BAM
Movie review: “The Reader”
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From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. 3 of 4 stars, plus highest praise for Kate Winslet and newcomer David Kross’ performances.
‘Reader’ simmers with pain, betrayalÂ
Powerfully nuanced performances from Kate Winslet and newcomer David Kross give resonance to “The Reader,” an unevenly paced and coolly distant Holocaust drama.
The film adaptation of Bernhard Schlink’s best-selling semi-autobiographical novel reunites director Stephen Daldry and screenwriter David Hare, who won acclaim for adapting 2002’s “The Hours.” “The Reader” has that same “awards film” gloss and refinement.
Set in Germany, the story jumps from the 1990s to the ‘40s and several points of time in between. But it starts in 1942, when Michael Berg (Kross), 15, gets sick outside a Berlin apartment building, and a stranger briskly cleans him up and walks him home.
Once recovered, Michael is sent to thank the woman, Hanna Schmitz (Winslet), a secretive, tightly coiled tram worker. Though she is more than twice his age, they feel a physical attraction that quickly sparks into a passionate affair, with Hanna giving “kid,” as she calls him, a frank and explicit sexual education.
Michael discovers that Hanna loves being read to, so Homer, Chekhov and D.H. Lawrence become foreplay and help Hanna open up emotionally.
Still, she suddenly vanishes one day, leaving Michael wounded and confused.
Eight years later, Michael is a law student studying German guilt in the wake of the Holocaust. His professor (the brilliant Bruno Ganz) takes the class to observe a war-crimes trial, and Michael is stunned to see Hanna among the defendants, a group of concentration camp guards accused of murder.
As the trial unfolds, Kross, a German actor making his English-language debut, lets the pain, rage and betrayal of the testimony run riot over his character’s once-sunny face. When Michael realizes Hanna harbors a secret that won’t exonerate her but may lessen her sentence, he must decide whether to reveal it.
Winslet’s pitch-perfect, unsentimental performance anchors the film, and Kross holds his own opposite the five-time Oscar nominee. Ralph Fiennes gives a solid but not spectacular turn as Michael as a damaged, repressed adult.
Though Daldry’s film comes across as too long, disjointed and detached to achieve greatness, to his credit, “The Reader” asks tough questions and doesn’t give easy answers.
-BAM
New releases
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It’s the week after Christmas, and not much is stirring in the new releases. With New Year’s resolutions imminent, diet books definitely seem to be a theme. Otherwise, the list of new CDs, DVDs and books is pretty thin.  Â
Here is the list, such as it is, from Amazon.com, VideoETA.com and BarnesandNoble.com:
CDs
“Moments…”, Front 242 (limited edition).
“Paradise Sky,” Randy Stonehill.
“Jazz Thoughts for the Day - January,” Mark Massey.
DVDs
An American Carol
Greek: Chapter Two
Internet Dating
Kyle XY: The Complete Second Season
Nip/Tuck: Season 5, Part 1
Secret Life of the American Teenager: 1st Season
Surfer, Dude
Towelhead Â
Books
“Black Ops (Presidential Agent Series No. 5)” by W.E.B. Griffin.
“Best Life Diet Cookbook: More than 100 Delicious, Convenient, Family-Friendly Recipes” by Bob Greene.
“The Big Idea: How to Make Your Entrepreneurial Dreams Come True, from the Aha Moment to Your First Million” by Donny Deutsch.
“Fire and Ice” by Julie Garwood.
“Food Matters: A Guide to Conscious Eating with More Than 75 Recipes” by Mark Bittman.
“GUILTY: Liberal “Victims” and Their Assault on America” by Ann Coulter.
I Can Make You Thin: The Revolutionary System Used by More Than 3 Million People by Paul McKenna.
“Running Hot” by Jayne Ann Krentz.
“The UltraMind Solution: Fix Your Broken Brain by Healing Your Body First” by M.D. Mark Hyman.
-BAM
Box office report
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Apparently, all those ads with the cuddly puppy really paid off for 20th Century Fox over the long Christma weekend.
The dog tale “Marley & Me,” which also starred Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston, debuted at No. 1 at the box office with a weekend take of $37 million, according to the Associated Press. (It opened on Christmas Day and actually made $51.7 million when you take into the account the four-day holiday weekend.)
The holiday timing was ideal for “Marley & Me,” featuring an adorable but trouble-making puppy, 20th Century Fox distribution executive Bert Livingston told the AP. The movie is based on John Grogan’s best-selling book.
“It’s an all-audience picture, ages 8 to 80. That’s who’s coming,” Livingston told the AP. “This is a movie about life, love and family. It’s what people want to see now.”
Adam Sandler’s family-friendly Disney comedy “Bedtime Stories” came in second for the weekend with $28.1 million and $38.6 million since it debuted on Christmas.
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” an expected awards contender starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, was close behind in the third spot, taking in $27 million for the weekend and $39 million since Christmas Day. Â
MGM’s World War II drama ”Valkyrie,” starring Tom Cruise as a German officer involved in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler, came in fourth with $21.5 million and $30 million since its Christmas opening.
The other new release for Christmas was Lionsgate’s comic-book flick “The Spirit,” which came in at No. 9 with $6.5 million over the weekend and $10.4 million since Christmas.
After film revenues dropped the previous two weekends, Hollywood ended the year on a high, with the top 12 movies taking in $182.5 million, up 8 percent from the same weekend in 2007.
“It’s a very strong finish to the year,” Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Media By Numbers, told the AP. “Audiences are really enjoying the movies in the marketplace right now.”
That includes several of the award contenders in addition to “Benjamin Button.” Films such as “Doubt,” “Revolutionary Road,” “Gran Torino,” “Slumdog Millionaire,” “The Wrestler” and”Frost/Nixon” doing well in limited releases.
For the year, it looks like Hollywood will miss setting a revenue record for the second straight year. According to the AP, revenues are running just behind the pace of 2007, when the box office hit a record $9.7 billion.
Here is the weekend top 10, from the AP:
1. “Marley & Me,” $37 million.
2. “Bedtime Stories,” $28.1 million.
3. “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” $27 million.
4. “Valkyrie,” $21.5 million.
5. “Yes Man,” $16.5 million.
6. “Seven Pounds,” $13.4 million.
7. “The Tale of Despereaux,” $9.4 million.
8. “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” $7.9 million.
9. “The Spirit,” $6.5 million.
10. “Doubt,” $5.7 million.
-BAM
Will we get to watch the “Watchmen”?
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An attorney for 20th Century Fox says the studio still plans to seek an order delaying the release of the movie version of the graphic novel “Watchmen,” according to the Associated Press.
The AP reports that U.S. District Court Judge Gary Feess last week ruled that Warner Bros. had infringed Fox’s copyright by developing and shooting the film, which is set to be released March 6 and is one of the most anticipated films of the year.
Feess said Monday he plans to hold a trial Jan. 20 to decide remaining issues, according to the AP.
“Watchmen” has been in development for years. Fox filed suit in February, claiming it never full let go of the story rights it obtained in the late 1980s. Warner Bros. contends Fox isn’t entitled to distribution.
According to the AP, Warner Bros.’ attorney said Monday he didn’t know if an appeal was coming, but thinks a trial is necessary and a settlement unlikely.
I still say it’s ridiculous for Fox to start from scratch with its own film version when fervent fans have thrown their support behind the Warner Bros. version. I’m holding out hope that the right dollar figure can be reached to avoid any delays to the release.
“Watchmen” is directed by “300″ helmer Zack Snyder and stars Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino and Jackie Earle Haley.
-BAM
Disney backs out of third Narnia movie
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Can the Narnia franchise stay afloat?
I missed this news over the holiday, but it seems that fans of “The Chronicles of Narnia” got a lump of coal from Disney just in time for Christmas.
The House of Mouse announced last week that it would not exercise its option to co-produce and co-finance the third Narnia movie with Walden Media.
“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” was scheduled to start shooting in early 2009 with Michael Apted (”Amazing Grace,” “The World Is Not Enough”) directing. But Disney’s decision has put the future of “Dawn Treader” in jeopardy.
According to Variety, Disney cited “budgetary considerations and other logistics” as the reason for the decision. The choice comes after the second Narnia movie, “Prince Caspian,” made far less than its predecessor despite mostly strong reviews.
“Prince Caspian” grossed a disappointing $419 million worldwide, compared to $745 million for the first film, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”
I’m not sure what Disney execs expected when they decided to release “Prince Caspian” in the middle of an extremely busy May blockbuster season, right in between “Iron Man” and “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.” In contrast, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” was released in early December 2005 and faced much less competition.
What’s so annoying about this is that Disney screwed up and unless Walden Media can find another studio to partner with in this bad economy, fans of this franchise are going to miss out.
And you thought the White Witch was bad.
-BAM
New releases
Woody GuthrieÂ
As I mentioned last week, the list of new CDs, DVDs and books will probably be thin over the next few weeks, as record labels, studios and publishing houses have already put hundreds of titles to try to entice Christmas shoppers.
If nothing on this list catches your eye, fear not, the list will steadily get more promising after we put the holiday season behind us.
For now, the most interesting CD offering is a deluxe version of a “best of” collection of the music of Okemah’s own influential singer-songwriter Woody Guthrie.
For movie fans, the Coen brothers, who scored four Oscars for their 2007 drama “No Country for Old Men,” usher their new black comedy, “Burn After Reading,” onto DVD. Â
Here is a list of the new CDs, DVDs and books coming out this week, from Amazon.com and VideoETA.com:
CDsÂ
Woody Guthrie, “Worried Man Blues: The Best Of (Deluxe Edition).”
Bear McCreary and Shirley Manson, “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” (TV soundtrack).
Santana, “The Best of the Fillmore Years” (Live album).
Original soundtrack, “Revolutionary Road.”
Chrome, “Blood on the Moon.”
DVDs
American Teen
Baghead
Beethoven’s Big Break
Burn After Reading
Death Race
The Duchess
Eagle Eye
Hamlet 2
Pulse 3
Resident Evil: Degeneration
Savage Grace
Books
“The Middle Place” by Kellie Corrigan.
“The Younger (Thinner) You Diet: How Understanding Your Brain Chemistry Can Help You Lose Weight, Reverse Aging, and Fight Disease,” by Eric Braverman.
Box office report
 
Jim Carrey’s latest comedy “Yes Man” opened at No. 1 over the weekend, but with just $18.2 million, according to the Associated Press.
The Will Smith drama “Seven Pounds” opened in the second slot with $16 million, while the animated tale “The Tale of Despereaux,” based on Kate DiCamillo’s Newberry Medal-winning book, debuted in third place with $10.5 million.
The box office undoubtedly was affected by inclement wintery weather.
“Those markets back east just got hammered,” Chris Aronson, distribution executive for 20th Century Fox, told the AP.
Fox’s remake of “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” starring Keanu Reeves, took in $10.2 million, dropping from the top spot to No. 4. It’s 10-day total is $48.6 million, and I’m willing to bet the special effects cost much more than that. Â
 
It was a big debut weekend in limited release, for the excellent drama “The Wrestler,” which features powerhouse performances from Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei. It took down $209,474 in just four theaters for a heavyweight average of $52,369, the AP reported.
By comparison, “Yes Man” played in 3,434 theaters and averaged $5,288 per theater, according to the AP. Â
The overall box office dipped sharply for the second weekend in a row: The top 12 movies took in $82.8 million, down 44 percent from the same weekend last year, when “National Treasure: Book of Secrets” was the top movie with $44.8 million, according to the AP.
“The movie business may be recession-proof, but this weekend, it’s not weather-proof,” Paul Dergarabedian, president of Media By Numbers, told the AP.
Here is the top 10 list, from the AP:
1. “Yes Man,” $18.2 million.
2. “Seven Pounds,” $16 million.
3. “The Tale of Despereaux,” $10.5 million.
4. “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” $10.2 million.
5. “Four Christmases,” $7.7 million.
6. “Twilight,” $5.2 million.
7. “Bolt,” $4.3 million.
8. “Slumdog Millionaire,” $3.2 million.
9. “Australia,” $2.3 million.
10. “Quantum of Solace,” $2.2 million.
-BAM
BAM Column: Oklahoma author Stacy Nyikos turns near-tragedy into new book
 
From Monday’s Life section of The Oklahoman.
Slaying mishap’s dragons
 A near-tragic accident prompted children’s author Stacy Nykios to make “Dragon Wishes,” her enthralling first chapter book.
In January 2004, the Bixby writer’s two daughters, Bella, then 4, and Sophia, then 2, were sledding down a snowy hill when they skidded on a patch of ice and crashed into the back of a parked horse trailer.
“There was nothing I could do to stop them,” she said in a voice thick with emotion. “They hit face-first, and I watched their necks snap back, and I really thought I was watching my children die. I mean, it’s the most horrifying experience I’ve ever had.”
The girls emerged from the hospital heavily bandaged, but thankfully, they survived.
“They recovered, but I didn’t. Little kids, they bounce back so well, but I didn’t. I was just kind of walking around with this horrifying feeling of guilt,” Nyikos, 39, said in a recent phone interview. “Just that whole feeling of grief and loss, I kept thinking, ‘If I’m having this much trouble, how must it be for a child to go through loss.’”
Nyikos, who previously released the aquatic-theme picture books “Squirt,” “Shelby” and “Dizzy,” decided to take what could have happened in her situation, and turn it around.
She penned “Dragon Wishes” about an Oklahoma girl named Alex who moves to California to live with her aunt and uncle after her parents’ death. Taiwanese-American Auntie Ling tries to soothe Alex and her younger sister Isla with an ancient Chinese tale of a brave girl on a difficult quest to find the last of the dragons.
“As an author you grow to love your characters better than imaginary friends … So I wanted to give them something to help them through those times,” Nyikos said of the Chinese story within the story, which she also wrote.
Released last month, “Dragon Wishes” is Nyikos’ first middle-grade book for ages 9 to 12. And she is grateful her daughters - Bella is now 9 and Sophia turns 7 d22 today - are still here to read it.
 ”Coming that close to losing my children makes me love them all the more and realize what a precious gift they are,” she said.
