Lautner has been tapped to play the title character in the 3-D adventure film set for release in 2012. The movie, written by Steve Oederkerk (Bruce Almighty), will bring the stretchy action figure to life on the big screen in a life-action film for the first time. Hasbro's President and CEO Brian Goldner, Bennet Schneir, and Brian Grazer are producing.
Universal Pictures Co-Chairman Donna Langley stated in a press release announcing the casting of Lautner: "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. We couldn't be more pleased that he has agreed to be our Stretch."
Originally announced as a 2011 release, according to Universal moving Stretch Armstrong to 2012 will allow the studio time to "shape the project into a 3-D superhero adventure and to accommodate Lautner's existing commitments."
Universal also announced they've pushed back the release date of Battleship, another film based on a Hasbro toy. The studio had been aiming for a July 2011 release of the naval action epic to be directed by Peter Berg (Hancock), but has now switched it to a May 25, 2012 release.
"Universal has put all the elements in place to successfully launch two of our classic Hasbro brands on the big screen," stated Brian Goldner, President and CEO of Hasbro, Inc. "The addition of Taylor Lautner and the 3-D twist to Stretch Armstrong, in addition to giving Pete Berg and the filmmakers the extra time and resources to make Battleship an even bigger summer blockbuster, is sure to pay dividends when the film is released in 2012."
Source: Universal Pictures
