Taylor Lautner To Star In ‘Stretch Armstrong’

‘Twilight’ star will stretch his limbs for new franchise role.
By Josh Wigler

Taylor Lautner

Photo: Larry Busacca/ Getty Images

Team Jacob has reason to celebrate: “Twilight” star Taylor Lautner has signed on to star in “Stretch Armstrong,” based on the action figure from Hasbro.

The Hollywood Reporter announced Lautner’s commitment to “Armstrong,” Universal’s upcoming 3-D adaptation of the Hasbro toy property slated for release at some point in 2012. The film was initially scheduled for May 15, 2011, before Lautner’s involvement.

“Stretch Armstrong” focuses on an uptight spy who inadvertently exposes himself to a formula that allows him to physically stretch his body to great lengths. With his newfound ability, the spy is forced to not only re-adjust to everyday life, but also to rethink his own crime-fighting tactics.

“In the past two years, Taylor has emerged as a real star at the global box office,” Universal co-chairman Donna Langley told THR. “He brings the perfect balance of energy and athleticism to the role of an unlikely superhero with a fantastic superpower.”

Interestingly enough, “Stretch Armstrong” isn’t the only action-hero franchise Lautner has been linked to in recent months. Following the actor’s contagious success as Jacob the werewolf in the “Twilight” franchise, it was announced that Lautner was in talks to headline “Max Steel” for Paramount. He has also signed on to star in “Cancun,” an action film that thrusts the young star into the role of an out-of-place college student who has to free his friends and girlfriend while vacationing in Cancun.

With his three upcoming roles, it’s clear Lautner is being positioned as an action star for a new generation of young moviegoers.

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