Taylor Lautner Was Approached For 'X-Men: First Class,' Bryan Singer Says

Taylor Lautner Was Approached For 'X-Men: First Class,' Bryan Singer Says
'I wanted Taylor to do it, I really did,' producer says of 'Twilight' star.



After his breakout turn as a muscle-bound shape-shifter in "New Moon," Taylor Lautner has become a go-to Hollywood action star, landing roles in the thriller "Abduction," the superhero flick "Stretch Armstrong" and, possibly, the martial arts-heavy "Cancun."

There had also been a rumor the 18-year-old was approached for a role in "X-Men: First Class," Marvel's adaptation of the comic series that follows the young mutants as they enroll in Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. Turns out that rumor was actually true, as producer Bryan Singer revealed over the weekend.

"I wanted Taylor to do it, I really did," he told Blastr.com. "He's doing a movie in Pittsburgh called 'Abduction' and then he's got the next 'Twilight' movie. We talked about it a lot, he is a friend, and I really wanted to make it work. It just doesn't look like it's possible to do it."

Singer went on to confirm several castmembers in the movie, which is to be directed by Matthew Vaughn ("Kick-Ass") and will hit theaters on June 3, 2011.

"Kevin Bacon I do believe is going to happen," Singer said of the actor who will likely become the central villain.

"James McAvoy is definitely cast as a young Charles Xavier, Mike Fassbender is in the movie, Nick Hoult, those are for sure," Singer added.

As for Lautner, though, he won't be joining up with the mutant superheroes at all, which is seemingly fine by Hugh Jackman, who played Wolverine in the previous "X-Men" films. Asked recently if Lautner could play a young Wolverine, Jackson said, "My only question is, can he grow mutton chops? ... Actually, I think people would probably prefer him as a hairless Wolverine than a rather hairy-chested version. Certainly about a billion young girls would."