Actor Job Security Not Guaranteed

Taylor Lautner, you may breathe easy now: It turns out you will continue to play Jacob Black in the Twilight franchise, after all.

There had been some speculation – or was it shrewd publicity drumming? – regarding this since the 16-year-old actor’s character in New Moon, the sequel due out on Nov. 20, is quite different: He’s a foot taller than he was in Twilight, and is supposed to look 25.

“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 [studio] Summit Entertainment, the producers, and Stephenie Meyer,” said Chris Weitz, the director who’s taking over Catherine Hardwicke.

Added Meyer, the author of the books upon which the movies are based, “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. And I’m very much looking forward to seeing what he’s going to bring to Jacob’s character this year.”

Jeez – so much for job security, huh. But, hey – it happened to Terrence Howard (who was replaced with Don Cheadle in Iron Man 2).

Lautner even told MTV News he was trying to gain 19 lbs. so he wouldn’t be dropped from the franchise (he had 10 more pounds to go last month).

Breathe easy, boy. And keep pumping.

Photo: EW.com.