Taylor Lautner talks to film.com

Film.com has posted their interview with Taylor Lautner, which was conducted during the New Moon press junket. Here is an excerpt:

Cole Haddon: Your character, Jacob Black, goes through a lot of changes in New Moon.

Taylor Lautner: Basically, my job was to continue what I started in Twilight, which was this extremely happy, friendly, outgoing guy. Best friends with Bella [Kristen Stewart]. I had to continue that for the first half of the film, but, as soon as I transform [into a werewolf], I snap and I become a completely different person. I’m dealing with my issues, and it’s really hard for me.

CH: I imagine the preparation for that transformation began by hitting the gym, to pack on 30 pounds of muscle.

TL: Absolutely. Jacob transforms a lot in New Moon, not only physically but mentally and emotionally as well. So it was a matter of getting to the gym, and eating the right food, and a lot of it. But also reading and studying the book and the character over and over and over again so I could have his character down as well, because he changes in many, many different ways.

CH: The filmmakers certainly took advantage of the new physique. You spend most of the movie shirtless, starting with that moment where you rip off your tee-shirt to wipe a cut on Bella’s forehead.

TL: I start laughing so hard every time I see that scene. “You’re bleeding? OK, let me fix it [with my sweaty shirt].” It’s so embarrassing. Yeah. I mean, here’s the thing: there’s a reason that he’s not wearing clothes all the time. One, when he transforms, all his clothes get shredded. He can’t help it. And when he goes into the woods to get something to put on so he’s not naked, it’s just a ripped pair of jean shorts. He’s also hot. He’s 108 degrees. So that’s another reason. The thing is, I love this character, I love this story, and putting on the weight and not wearing much clothing was required by the role. A year from now, if I love a story and I love a character that requires me to lose 40 pounds, I’m ready to do it.

To read the rest of his interview, click on the link above.

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