Taylor Lautner To 'Stretch' Into Latest Role

**bonner** Sun Feb 07, 2010 2:57 am

Sat Feb 06, 2010, 12:14 pm EST

Taylor Lautner has been cast in the title role of "Stretch Armstrong," Universal Pictures confirmed to Access Hollywood.

"The Twilight Saga" star will take on the role of the rubbery hero based on the Hasbro toy. The 3-D film will be released in 2012.

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"In the past two years, Taylor has emerged as a real star at the global box office. He brings the perfect balance of energy and athleticism to the role of an unlikely super hero with a fantastic super power," Universal Pictures co-chairman Donna Langley said in a statement to Access. "We couldn't be more pleased that he has agreed to be our Stretch."

But the busy young actor won't have to stretch his schedule too much to take on the role.

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The film's 2012 release is geared toward allowing him time to work on his previously announced projects - the title role in "Max Steel" as well as the films "Northern Lights" and "Cancun," a film centered on his martial-arts skills. A final film - or potentially two films - based on "Breaking Dawn," the fourth book in "The Twilight Saga," has yet to be made official.

In related news, another Hasbro property-turned-Universal film, director Peter Berg's "Battleship," has moved its release date to May 25, 2012 - Memorial Day weekend.

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