Role: Frat Boy Andy
Release Date: July 12th, 2013 - 
Information: 
Oct 10 
So much for Taylor Lautner being a big action star — at least for now.
The “Twilight” hunk’s turn as a Jason Bourne-like mover and shaker in Lionsgate’s “Abduction” opened to just $11.2 million — enough probably for the studio to make its money back, but not enough to launch Lautner into action-hero stardom.
“If ‘Abduction’ works, he’s a movie star,” an individual with ties to the Lautner camp told TheWrap Friday, before the movie’s box office numbers came in.
And if it didn’t have a big opening? “Studios are certainly not going to greenlight a $50 million movie with him in the lead.”
With Lautner’s name leading the development of several studio tentpole projects — notably Universal’s “Stretch Armstrong” — that sentiment could become an issue.
Certainly, with Lionsgate winning a bidding war for the “Abduction” script, and producing the film itself on a budget of around $35 million, the movie was a gamble for Lautner, too. Although he was a proven commodity in the “Twilight” movies, he had never carried a film on his own.
Lautner’s gamble illustrates how tricky it is to manage the career of a young actor who wants to be a movie star — like now.
“If you’re 20 years-old, there’s no rush to be the only guy in the movie, because you’re the only guy it gets pinned on when it fails,” said an agent who handles young actors. “And I don’t think at 20, whether you’re an actor or a student, anyone is ready for that pressure.”
Contrast Lautner’s career choices to those of his “Twilight” co-star, Robert Pattinson.
Sure, Pattinson has made some questionable decisions, including last year’s critical miss, low-budget romantic drama “Remember Me” for Summit.
But Pattinson also starred in the acclaimed drama “Water for Elephants,” surrounding himself with Oscar winners Reese Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz, and nominees Hal Holbrook and writer Richard LaGravenese.
“Pattinson seems to be making choices that are based on artistic merit,” a high-profile film producer told TheWrap. “Taylor is making choices on commercial merit.”
Artistic merit aside, the presence of all those other actors insulated Pattinson. If the movie failed — and with a worldwide gross of $117 million on a $38 million budget, it certainly didn’t — Pattinson wouldn’t be blamed.
Likewise, in a $16 million romantic drama like “Remember Me” that was lightly promoted and targeted to teen girls, the stakes weren’t as high.
As for Lautner, the weekend wasn’t a total bust. Among teen girls — his core audience — “Abduction” drew an “A-minus” grade from Cinemascore, a company that takes surveys from moviegoers after they’ve seen a film.
Critics are another matter. They collectively gave “Abduction” a 3 percent grade on Rotten Tomatoes.
For now, Lautner’s two upcoming “Twilight” movies should keep him busy; and in addition to Universal’s “Stretch Armstrong,” some pretty serious producers were still looking at him for some major roles as of Friday afternoon.
Lautner is still attached to “Incarceron,” Fox 2000′s adaptation of Catherine Fisher’s young adult novel.
“He clearly has a built-in audience and is a very charismatic leading man,” one producer told TheWrap.
Lautner had been a child star, with roles in “Shadow Fury” when he was 9 and “The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3D” and “Cheaper by the Dozen 2″ when he was 13.
Then the character of Twilight werewolf Edward Black came along, and that transformed his career. Lautner was only 16 years-old when the first Twilight film came out.
His role was almost recast because he was perceived as too small — something he clearly worked on for films two and three of the series.
Team Lautner made hay while the sun was shining.
Paramount offered him the title role in “Max Steel,” based on the Mattel action figure. He ended up dropping out of that. Three months later, in February 2010, Universal offered him $7.5 million to make “Stretch Armstrong,” based on the Hasbro toy.
“Stretch” remains in development, and so does Lautner.
The individual with Lautner-camp ties put “Abduction’s” opening in perspective: “If it doesn’t work and it bombs, he’s 19 years-old.”
Source: Reuters
October 10th, 2011 at 5:17 pm
This is a fairly old article isn’t it? I mean, it’s not like they’re saying anything new. Who cares what these people say? Most of these “experts” in Hollywood know nothing about talent or star potential, hence why Hollywood is in such a free-fall right now. Taylor’s extremely young and he has other chances. And I hate the way they try to big up RP just to make Taylor sound bad. The article sounds like it’s been written by his PR management. Who says Taylor is making choices based on “commercial merit”? That means he’s only making choices for money. He’s doing what he wants to do. He’s doing what interests him and what he thinks is fun, and that’s exactly what he should be doing. I wouldn’t want him any other way.
And I don’t think Taylor actually wants to be an ‘action star’. I think that was more a teenage boy fantasy. I think as he gets older he’ll expand his horizons. People calling shots on him at 19 have no idea what they’re talking about. Anyone who can’t see this boy’s incredible star potential is blind.
Can’t wait to hear what Taylor’s next project is!
October 10th, 2011 at 5:20 pm
depressing comments. But true.
It’s not taylor’s fault. To me, he did great in ABD, stretching as a real actor. The story is not too bad, John S. is not a horrible director either, but they need to fuel more on the emotional scenes. Those were not touching at all.
Most costars are great but there is little space for them to stretch.
Lily is dissapointing. I see no chemestry on screen.
I always miss Chriz Whize. NM is the best because it was touching. I am not talking about the abs, but the hurting feelings of jacob that every one can relate to. And he definitely know how to make taylor looked sexy：think about the break-up in the rain(and many other intense scenes).
Wish Bill Conden would do better. And…taylor, pls, we need a better director, and better scripts@!!
October 10th, 2011 at 6:25 pm
I always find unfair when they try to underestimate his choices saying that he wants just to be an action star and stuff. In my opinion is just as hard because the main audience of this kind of movie are men and they don’t like Taylor. So it’s a big chalenge for him to star in those movies first because he’s just too young and second because he just needs to gain respect from men.
October 10th, 2011 at 7:48 pm
What gets to me with all the Hollywood talk is the comparison of Taylor and Rob. The criticism that Taylor needs to pick roles like Rob is annoying. Rob is older and his opportunities are different.
rain…I so agree with you re Chris Weitz. He made you feel the emotional connection between Bella and Jacob. I’m afraid that Bill Condon is pro Edward. Ugh…don’t want to cry before I’m hurt but I feel Jacob fans are going to be dumped on.
October 11th, 2011 at 1:29 am
Taylor should pick the roles he wants not pick the ones like Rob. Taylor is Taylor, Rob is Rob. Taylor has his preferences and he should stick with them, period. This is only Taylor’s first major role since Twilight. Rob is only doing better because he did Water for Elephants which had the help of Reese Witherspoon and huge built in audience of the novel. Rob’s first movie since Twilight, Remember Me, did nt do better. So, Hollywood stop putting Rob on the pedestal. Where was he at 19???? Anyway, Taylor should stick with what he wants to do, just be more careful. Sorry for the rant, I’m just sick of the Rob comparison.
@Marianne, don’t worry, Bill Condon is pro Edward, but the Screenwriter, Melissa Rosenberg, is definitely pro Jacob =)
October 11th, 2011 at 1:40 am
I always had the feeling that the movies were all pro Jacob. Or Taylor is just a really great Jacob because general viewers love him.
October 11th, 2011 at 1:50 am
Not trying to compare Rob with Taylor or anything, but Rob was definitely smarter that he insulated himself with the other well known actors, so if his movie was a bomb they can’t blame it solely on him. Taylor and his team should have been more careful and smarter with the promo instead of putting him out there like a big easy target. They should’ve known those haters will come at him.
Now, I’ve just managed to watch Abduction and it wasn’t as bad as those reviews. I hated action film and was looking forward to the romance bit but gotta say I’m disappointed. I couldn’t feel any connection between him and Lily. I feel they have virtually no chemistry together whatever so watching the kissing scene on the train was ackward. Taylor did ok with his part but definitely need more acting skills for sure and hopefully he will improve in the future as he is still young.
I hope he wont do more action film next, really want to see him do comedy instead.
October 11th, 2011 at 4:55 am
We’re all free to voice our opinions, so here’s mine… Taylor and Lily were most definitely explosive together in the movie. I don’t understand how the kissing scene was awkward… they were so sexy and adorable in that scene together. And yes, I’m a fan… so naturally I feel they had chemistry. But even my bf thought the kissing scene was hot. He even went… “Damn.”
Sorry, I had to!
October 11th, 2011 at 5:05 am
@accv I agree if Rob and Kris wins best kiss I give Kanye West permission to jump on stage and steel the mic. LMAO.
October 11th, 2011 at 12:49 pm
@Emma: I think Taylor and his team are agressive and brave. It’s like all or nothing and I admire them for this.
About their chemistry I was a little disappointed with Lily. I thought she was a little off in some scenes. But the kiss was wow!
October 11th, 2011 at 6:43 pm
I have to say, I strongly disagree with anyone who says Rob ‘s doing better. I much more approve of Taylor’s choices thus far. They’re much smarter, from a Hollywood point of view. Abduction had some misguided marketing, but that doesn’t mean Taylor was wrong to pick it. Well, that’s just my opinion anyway.
October 12th, 2011 at 5:51 pm
JUst an FYI Abduction has made a total of 54.5 million worldwide.
October 12th, 2011 at 6:10 pm
@Lucky Great news! It’s been out less than 3 weeks :) Glad it’s making money. Prove all the critics who said Taylor couldn’t succeed wrong. Would be awesome if it reached $100 million worldwide :) I didn’t think it would, but maybe it will.
October 12th, 2011 at 6:44 pm
I remember reading somewhere, someone said that if a movie cost $35 million to make, they will need to make $70 million to break even as the studio and the cinema/theaters get 50% each from the sell of the tickets. If this is true, then Abduction is still in a lost position.
October 15th, 2011 at 1:02 am
Well Remember Me is an independent movie so I think it did great for this low budget. Well, internationally.^^
But I think they do both fine. Rob AND Taylor wouldn’t be were they are now without Twilight but they are constantly flamed for it. :/
I’m curious what 2013 will bring them.