What's Happening in Horror?: January 11

Another day, another Twilight tidbit. This time, it concerns Taylor Lautner who played Jacob Black in the first film in the series. Word on the street was his part would be recast in the sequel, New Moon, primarily because Jacob undergoes a big change in the second novel that forms the basis for the film. In Twilight, he’s all lanky-limbed and baby-faced. But in New Moon his height shoots way above six feet and he packs on the muscles (hubba, hubba). Summit Entertainment, the studio that has the adaptation rights to the Twilight Saga, feared the slight and sixteen-year-old Lautner would not be able to make the transition.


But now comes news that Lautner made the cut after all. According to Entertainment Weekly, he’ll join co-stars Kristen Stewart and Rob Pattinson when the sequel starts shooting soon. To prepare for his expanded part, Lautner’s already packing on the pounds to bulk up that slender body. And special effects may also be used to give him a little more height and heft. Hey, if sfx can convincingly plop Brad Pitt’s old man head onto some youngster’s body in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button then anything is possible. Plus, I usually hate recasts. So I'm glad the kid's getting a chance.

Looks like Jonah Hex is finally saddling up for a ride onto the big screen. After several stops and starts, the film adaptation of the horror comic seems to have a firm director, Jimmy Hayward, on board at long last. But surprisingly, said director’s last film was the kiddie flick, Horton Hears a Who. Hayward got his big break at Pixar and has mainly worked in animation. It will be very interesting to see if he can make the transition to live action. Not to mention the fact that the Wild West is a lot darker and more dangerous than Whoville. But Josh Brolin is currently attached to play the bounty-huntin’ gunslinger, so there may be hope for the flick yet.