HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Taylor Lautner will howl once again.
The 16-year-old actor will return as Jacob Black in the "Twilight" sequel "New Moon," series author Stephenie Meyer confirmed on her Web site Wednesday.
"I was very much a part of this decision," wrote Meyer, ending speculation over whether Lautner would return.
Meyer's blog included a message from director Chris Weitz, who shared: "The characters in Stephenie's books go through extraordinary changes of circumstance and also appearance; so it is not surprising that there has been speculation about whether the same actor would portray a character who changes in so many surprising ways throughout the series. But it was my first instinct that Taylor was, is, and should be Jacob, and that the books would be best served by the actor who is emotionally right for the part.
"I think that fans of Twilight the book and the movie will be surprised by the Jacob Black that Taylor will bring to the screen in 'New Moon;' and I'm looking forward to working with him and the rest of the cast in realizing the film."
Meyer said she was thrilled everything turned out as it did.
"My first priority was always what was best for New Moon—what was going to give us the best possible movie," she wrote. "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."
"New Moon" is scheduled to begin production in the spring, with a November release date currently planned.
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