Taylor Lautner Toys With New Movie Roles

February 7, 2010 11:24 a.m. EST

Los Angeles, CA, United States (CNS) - Actor Taylor Lautner's latest role will be a bit of a stretch. Actually, it will be a total stretch.

The "New Moon" 17-year-old recently signed a deal with Universal Pictures to play a live action version of the iconic toy Stretch Armstrong.

Universal Pictures co-chairman Donna Langley originally made a statement about the casting move to "Access Hollywood."

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

Lautner, who came to prominence as teenage werewolf Jacob Black in "The Twilight Saga," will be able to put his martial arts training to good use as the rubber-limbed Kenner hero, whose film will be made in 3-D. Lautner also worked in this format in the 2005 Robert Rodriguez movie "The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl."

Movies based on popular toys have been popping up more and more in recent months, following the success of "G.I. Joe" and the "Transformers" films, which have been produced through toy manufacturing company Hasbro. Hasbro will also produce "Stretch Armstrong," along with Brian Grazer. Steve Oedekerk will provide the movie's screenplay.

Lautner's other upcoming projects include the other "Twilight" movies "Eclipse" and "Breaking Dawn," as well as the live action version of the animated show "Max Steel."