Contrary to reports stating otherwise, Tom Cruise will not be costarring in the forthcoming Taylor Lautner action flick Northern Lights. Though the idea of Cruise playing the controlling billionaire father of a young aerobatics pilot (Lautner) does sound pretty great, a rep for David Ellison’s Skydance Productions tells EW that character does not exist and that Cruise is not attached to the project in any way. The official logline: “Set against the backdrop of extreme flying, Northern Lights follows four young pilots as they compete against the world’s best. A story of teamwork, sacrifice, loss, and victory, these young aviators push themselves to physical and emotional limits in the unforgiving world of performance aerobatics.”
The film — which, to be fair, does sound a bit like Top Gun with a need for speed and [insert imaginary word that means flips but rhymes] — will be directed by John Moore (Max Payne, Flight of the Phoenix, Behind Enemy Lines). Production begins this April in Louisiana.
I, for one, am loving this. When I think of hot young pilots, I think of leather jackets, and Lautner, who will be 18 when he gets his wings, happens to look great in those. We also know that Taylor — who was a four-time world champion of extreme martial arts by age 11, and is the reigning Late Night motorccyle racing champ — isn’t afraid to push it. If action movies are what he wants to do, let him. The Twilight Saga will continue to show his softer side; pics like Northern Lights could even out his fan base.
What do you think of Lautner as a young flyboy? (He’ll reportedly earn $7.5 million for the role. The Skydance rep had no comment.) Who would you like to see cast as the other three pilots? I suppose Jesse McCartney has the hair for it…
Photo credit: Bob Charlotte/PR Photos
Interesting… can’t say I’m a fan in any way, but I’m interested to see if he will be successful outside of Twilight. I’d rather it be him than that unwashed hobo they like to call Rob Patinson…
Hahahaha. Loved that part at the end!
When he gave his acceptance speech at the Teen Choice or was it the MTV movie awards, I thought he reminded me of Tom Cruise. It will be interesting to watch them in a movie together.
Did you not read the article?
LOL.
Of the leading cast in the Twilight films, I like Taylor the best simply because he’s the only one who’s actually doing a half way descent job acting… seriously, the studio is getting robbed because they are paying Pattinson and Stewart money to ACT, something neither of them have been able to do thus far! If Taylor can break out of this franchise and into something else then it’s because he deserves it based on talent and I say more power to him.
I agree that Taylor is the best actor of the 3 leads in the Twilight movies. Not saying he’s Oscar material, but at least he conveys some emotion. It’ll be interesting to see him do something a little different.
Agreed he’s definately the best….and he’s young. Maybe with practice he could grow into some serious acting chops. i think the potential is there.
He is the best of the three, but that’s not exactly saying much, given Stewart’s one-note expression on boredom and Pattinson constantly looking like he’s trying to find the square root of 45,239.
Judging by Up in the Air, the Twilighter who seems the likeliest to break out is Anna Kendrick.
Really, Taylor Lautner? I loved them all in New Moon, but come on, TL had some really bad spots in that film. With more experience I’m sure he will get better at delivering lines. Kristen Stewart was hands down the best. Watch Twilight then watch New Moon, she finds her character in NM and is 100 percent believable.
I hope Lautner can follow in the footsteps of Twilight costar Anna Kendrick (“Up In The Air”) and find success outside of the franchise. However, the premise of this film sounds weak and cliche. Hopefully, my first impression is wrong. As for Pattinson, “Remember Me” looks interesting. In time we’ll see if that role will be good to him.
I agree about him following in Anna Kendrick’s footsteps. Remember Me looks good too
I like the idea of Jesse McCartney. He’s actually a great actor, and I’d love to see him attached to a project that involves more than voice-over work.
He’s come a long way from Shark Boy and Lava Girl!
If Tom Cruise would have been in this. As far as acting goes, Tom would have kicked his a–.
Tom Cruise is digusting and I wouldn’t see the movie if he were in it. Thank goodness he is not!
COOL!!
First Max Steele now Northern Lights. Yippie. More hotness, something that’s lacking in male stars today in my opinion.
Totally agree! What’s with all the skinny, unwashed, brooding young male stars lately? They are so unattractive in their tight jeans and Converse sneakers. I love all-American boys with big smiles, short hair, and confidence.
why pay a unproven talent so much, we know twilight did not improve kristen stewert box office pull in the box office flop adventureland, why pay this guy so much already
I think they’re treading carefully to see how much of his appeal is really HIS appeal and how much of it is just because he’s Jacob Black. Something tells me they’re going to be disappointed, similar to how I think people are in for a rude awakening when Pattinson’s appeal is on the line when Remember Me comes out.
that also boggles me, paying someone big bucks, that doesn’t yet prove anything.
wonder what will happen to them after the whole ridiculousness.
Logan Lerman of Percy Jackson would be another up n comer who could play one of the young pilots….he turns 18 this month..
Jesse McCartney would be the greatest thing you could to do just about any production!!
Jesse McCartney would be amazing! He’s an awesome acter.
I love Twilight and New Moon and I love all the cast. Taylor is one of my favorites…Hes so devoted and disclinped to his roles..He is young, and I think we will see alot of him in the future..May it all come his way, he deserves it..
Would have seen it , if with Tom Cruise! Top Gun was exciting and Tom CAN fly. Otherwise, NO for the little kid. Sandy
i love Taylor! <3