Actor Taylor Lautner and his wife, also Taylor Lautner, appeared on Alex Cooper’s “Call Her Daddy” podcast to talk more about their love story, careers, and what’s next for their own podcast, “The Squeeze.” Lautner seldom acts in film and television projects anymore by choice, and has often been vocal about the intense public eye placed on him as a teenager amid his role as Jacob Black in the “Twilight” saga. Now, Lautner revealed that he was nearly recast after the franchise’s first film, and detailed how he fought to keep his role.
The reason for the proposed recast was the character’s changing form from teenage boy into adult werewolf. Lautner recalled casting directors telling him that a man in his 20s would likely take over his role due to Stephanie Meyer’s source material novels describing his physical transformation. Sensing this would be the case, Lautner and his team sprung into action, and the actor underwent intense physical training to build muscle for the role.
The actor also revealed that the casting directors still had him re-audition despite knowing his approach to the character, though Kristen Stewart, who starred in the trilogy as Bella Swan, was quick to encourage the production team to give Lautner another shot.
Social Media Reactions
Hollywood practices typically revolve around casting actors in their early to mid 20s as teenagers, so many young fans of “Twilight” were shocked to learn that Lautner was an actual teenager at the time of his werewolf era.
HE WAS REALLY SIXTEEN BACK THEN?
— Ksana (@bigarms4me) December 14, 2023
Other fans were glad that he was not recast, as his delivery of a number of quotable lines, including “Bella, where the hell have you been loca?” live in infamy within the sphere of internet memes.
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thank god they didn’t recast him.
— juaan (@juaangng_) December 14, 2023
Taylor was the best in the film for sure I love his acting 😭❤️
— Wealth (@wealth_united_) December 14, 2023
The Lautners went on to discuss their friendship with acclaimed singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. Taylor Lautner and Taylor Swift were briefly in a relationship in the early 2010s following their roles in “Valentine’s Day.” It was later confirmed that Swift dedicated her ballad “Back To December” to Lautner, who confirmed that she was the one who ended their relationship. Lautner’s now wife, also Taylor Lautner, has always been a fan of Swift’s, and the couple rekindled a friendship with Swift this year when the actor appeared in her “I Can See You” music video.
You don't need to go back to December to get the details on these former lovers. Taylor Lautner reveals why he and Taylor Swift have been able to stay friendly in the years since their breakup: https://t.co/KY2mP6azPJ (📷: Getty) pic.twitter.com/42Ac3IlXbZ
— E! News (@enews) December 14, 2023
The actor went on to say that Swift “really is just a wonderful human.” Both Taylor Lautners’ have discussed his relationship with Swift on their mental health and wellness podcast “The Squeeze.” The actor’s wife Taylor-Dome Lautner worked as a nurse during the pandemic, while her husband has insight on struggling with mental health while under the spotlight at a young age. The podcast continues to receive positive feedback from viewers and listeners due to its wide range of coverage within the mental wellness space. New episodes are released on Apple Podcasts weekly.
