Lautner is Team Jacob all the way
Taylor Lautner is pure Team Jacob. Of course, he plays Jacob Black in the “Twilight” sequel “New Moon.” He figures that eventually Jacob and Edward will face-off, but not man to man. It will be werewolf to vampire.
Who would win a fistfight?
“That discussion is still up in the air,” Lautner says. “We need to get [author] Stephenie Meyer on the phone and ask her.”
A native of Grand Rapids, Mich., Lautner was studying martial arts when his instructor talked him into auditioning for a Burger King commercial. At age 10, his family relocated to Los Angeles, where he got his big break. In 2005, at age 13, he was cast as Shark Boy in Robert Rodriguez’s “The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3D.”
Q. Was it nice for you to step up to a lead character in “New Moon?”
A. My job was really to continue what I started in “Twilight,” which was to play this extremely happy, outgoing guy who is best friends with Bella. As soon as I transform into a werewolf, however, I snap and I’m a completely different person who now has to deal with issues.
Q. You’re also shirtless for a big chunk of the movie.
A. I can’t really help that he’s shirtless because he’s constantly getting angry and then his inner werewolf comes out. I’m not sure what happens to his clothes when he transforms and maybe he just can’t afford new shirts.
Q. What did you do to shape up?
A. I was in the gym five days a week because you need your recovery time. You can’t overwork yourself. I was trying to put on weight. I knew if I was in the gym too much I’d lose weight. I was motivated to get in the gym, but the eating was pretty hard. I had to consume at least 3,200 calories a day to maintain and had to eat more to gain weight. So, basically I ate every two hours. I carried a little baggie with beef patties, raw almonds and sweet potatoes.
Q. Do you read all the gossip about yourself and the rumors you are dating Taylor Swift.
A. Honestly, I try to stay away from what’s written about me. If you let it get to you then it will drive you crazy. For instance, I was just quoted as saying I would never take my shirt off in a movie again. I didn’t say it.
Q. What has been the strangest part of fame?
A. It’s just not normal to drive down the street and see your face on a huge billboard. But it’s “Twilight.” It comes with the job.
Big Picture News Inc.