“Taylor Lautner: Werewolf Hunter” Series Announced at Amazon MGM Studios

Taylor Lautner is set to return to the world of werewolves, but not in the way many Twilight fans might expect or hope. Variety has exclusively announced that Lautner will star in and executive produce the scripted series "Taylor Lautner: Werewolf Hunter," which is currently in development at Amazon MGM Studios. This project was brought to Amazon by Tornante, the independent studio known for shows like "BoJack Horseman" and the Amazon series "Undone." Daisy Gardner serves as the creator and showrunner.

Described as a "self-aware" show, the series aims to blend factual and fictional elements of Lautner's life following the conclusion of the successful vampire franchise… while hunting werewolves.

Variety also previewed the show’s summary which reads:

“After wrapping the final ‘Twilight’ film, Taylor Lautner vanished from the spotlight. Fans speculated, tabloids theorized—but the truth is wilder than fiction. Taylor wasn’t just taking a mental health break. He was preparing for his real calling…Taylor Lautner: Werewolf Hunter. Playing himself, Taylor is drawn into a secret society of werewolf trackers who need his unique expertise. As he navigates his double life—Hollywood actor by day, supernatural warrior by night—Taylor must wrestle with the ultimate irony: fighting the very creatures that made him famous. Between saving the world, reviving his career, and falling in love, he faces the ultimate question—what happens when your biggest role becomes your greatest enemy?”

Matthew Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett will join Gardner and Lautner as directors and executive producers for the show through their company, Radio Silence. Adam Londy of Tornante will also serve as an executive producer, alongside Tarik Kanafani. The production will be handled by Amazon MGM Studios in collaboration with Tornante.

Fans of Lautner will be excited to see him return to the world of werewolves. He gained fame for his role as Jacob Black in the five "Twilight Saga" films, where his character was part of a lineage of shapeshifters capable of transforming into wolves. The five films combined grossed over $3 billion worldwide at the box office. In addition to his work in "Twilight," Lautner has appeared in various films, including "The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl," "Abduction," and "The Ridiculous 6." On television, he has starred in series such as "Scream Queens," "Cuckoo," and "My Own Worst Enemy."

Since the series has just been announced, no additional cast or crew members have been revealed yet. What are your thoughts on the premise of this show? Will you be watching Taylor Lautner's new series, which aims to blend satire, fantasy, and a unique coming-of-age story? I’m going to try to withhold any judgment until I’ve seen the pilot.

I have mixed feelings about the premise of this show, and this is just my opinion. Depending on the creative direction, it could either be a decent watch or a tragic flop. The tone heavily implies a comedic approach, but the fantasy elements give it a "Buffy" vibe while also addressing heavy topics that the actor has likely experienced or lived through. In Lautner’s later projects, there has been a clear shift in his acting choices, moving from dramatic roles to more comedic ones. Honestly, a fictional take on his life after "Twilight" could have been a strong premise for a great dramedy. However, it seems Amazon is trying to attract fans of the Stephenie Meyer saga by evoking the supernatural nostalgia associated with Lautner’s past role as Jacob Black.

This might be why I can’t shake off my scepticism about the direction this show is heading. Based on the premise alone and the themes it looks set to explore, we really didn’t need to include werewolves. I’d honestly be more excited if he and his former "Twilight" castmates decided to reprise their roles in Netflix’s animated adaptation of "Midnight Sun." That would create some genuine anticipation by striking the right balance of nostalgia and reigniting the fandom’s enthusiasm for all things werewolves and vampires. There’s so much storytelling potential in Lautner’s acting career following his career-defining success and its mysterious aftermath.

But like I said, let’s wait until we know more about this project. Let us know what you think in the comments.