Is Taylor Lautner Actually Native American?
Although Taylor Lautner, star of The Twilight Movie franchise, is known for playing the Native American character Jacob Black - the character’s ancestry was a major influence for fans' perceptions of his own ethnicity. The Quileute Tribe serves as Jacob’s fictional clan - however, in an attempt to connect to Native American culture Lautner himself acknowledged having a link - specifically a Taylor Lautner Native American heritage that stemmed from his maternal side (in an interview with MTV) however, he did state how those were “distant" roots and not his primary ethnicity.
Despite the presence of these characters in the Twilight series, and the long line of Native American Stereotypes present across those narratives, fans may find it is worthwhile to discover more information on the true origin of the Quileute Tribe and the historical events they have been associated with, especially given their prominence within the Twilight Movie series.
How Did Taylor Lautner’s Ancestry Come To Light?
During the filming of the Twilight Movie series, Lautner took a deep dive into understanding the complex and fascinating heritage of the Quileute Tribe - given that the main character, Jacob, was said to be connected to those historical figures - which made him the central focus within this narrative.
In this case, Taylor Lautner learned that he has roots that could be traced back to Native American communities, particularly the Potawatomi and the Ottawa Tribe, but also emphasized that it was only a minor, very distant part of his lineage - often something that might make many Native American individuals wary of how these characters might be viewed, especially given the lack of diversity that often prevails in Hollywood.
What Role Do Native Americans Play In The Twilight Movies?
In Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series, fans are treated to a complex mythology with characters having connections to various figures. The primary focus of The Twilight Movie - which features a clash between those who have chosen a different path as they are transformed into creatures who are known as werewolves.
It’s crucial to note the connection between the werewolves who were born out of a complex origin, and the Quileute Tribe. It also highlights a key point - that the werewolves and the vampires in this fictional universe are at odds with each other, which was even brought out in the Twilight saga's finale, as the werewolves found a key role as protectors. The werewolves in Stephenie Meyer Twilight serve as a type of shape-shifter. It is through the use of a powerful and intricate transformation - a change to those that exist as "Shape Shifters", and, as in some versions of Native American Culture "Skin Walkers", who are thought to use powerful rituals to assume animal forms - the key to why this franchise is such a great example of the complexities of Werewolf Mythology.
What Were The Problems with Taylor Lautner Playing Jacob?
It is vital to make sure those interested in this topic, understand the controversy. While Taylor Lautner is not a Native American (despite having some distant roots, something that is still under debate) - it has often brought up issues and problems surrounding those roles that he was cast in - such as the role of Jacob Black in the Twilight Movies. One key area where those fans and movie buffs may have concerns would revolve around Hollywood Whitewashing, which is an ongoing problem in film and entertainment where there is an imbalance in representation for those that are part of diverse ethnic backgrounds - it is also important to note that there is a lack of opportunities.
This often makes it more difficult to find those Native American actors - a trend that is being recognized throughout the entertainment industry - as many of the actors, film fans and critics, along with those involved in various areas such as writing and production are calling for an increase in representation. There’s no clear reason to suggest the creators or those involved in production with The Twilight Movie made those decisions to cast Lautner in this role - however, in the absence of this diverse talent - it has also led to criticism.
How Has Taylor Lautner’s Career Evolved?
The success of the Twilight Movie - a film series known as one of the most beloved teen series - has brought many new faces to the spotlight, and one of these actors was Taylor Lautner who made his leap from childhood star (featured in the family film “The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl” as Taylor Lautner Sharkboy). Those roles gave him an opportunity to work with audiences and those who appreciated how he was capable of carrying a film or being a co-star, given that “The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl” served as one of the few family films to feature the Twilight show actor - his main claims to fame as an actor prior to the release of Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight.
Even though Lautner has gone on to star in a number of films - “Abduction” or “The Ridiculous 6,” fans might be eager to know more about this series, and the actor, and just how the Twilight Saga had been an immense success and contributed significantly to his recognition within Hollywood. As the Twilight Fandom grew to have a huge influence on those interested in those books and their cinematic adaptations, it created an intense fandom for Lautner. He often had to find his niche as a Twilight show actor - one whose presence often defined him as a key player in this world - while seeking to make the transition from teen idol, as it has brought up the issue of finding other opportunities to showcase his versatility and range. This is why The Twilight Series was often a major topic that was frequently explored in discussions of his career, and why there was such intense anticipation from Twilight Book Series lovers.
Were There Problems With The Werewolves in The Twilight Saga?
Those fans who are familiar with the Twilight Saga might be aware that there are various aspects of those storylines that bring about a range of opinions - particularly how those Shape Shifters - known as werewolves - are a powerful force in Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight. It seems that many in the Twilight Fandom were captivated by how the creatures appeared and the overall arc for Jacob, one of the most prominent figures in those stories, but these also brought about a great amount of criticism and issues related to Native American Representation.
While Meyer may have sought to find a connection, there were concerns about her understanding and representation of the Native American world. One of the key problems - was related to those tattoo styles which are often misconstrued, using a design that does not originate from the Quileute people but are instead borrowed from a different tribe (the Haida). There were also critiques about the Twilight werewolf characters that seemed to focus on how those characters were presented with overly sexualized physical appearances, recalling some of the most problematic stereotypes often seen with the depiction of Native American individuals in a broader cultural setting.
Who Was Taylor Lautner In Movies Before Twilight?
Many fans of Taylor Lautner know his work in The Twilight Movie series - but he made his entrance into the entertainment world a bit before 2008 when Twilight's first installment made a splash at the box office.
One of those earlier roles was with the release of “The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl” a movie that made Lautner known to family-friendly audiences - particularly his role as "Taylor Lautner Sharkboy." The actor had been seen in numerous television appearances - and some film roles. However, this production stood out for being a memorable release.
Do Fans Believe There Should Be a Twilight Reboot?
Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Book Series and the Twilight Movie franchise had been a major phenomenon with those watching, reading, and sharing its lore and those Twilight show characters that had been brought to the big screen, from Edward to Jacob.
A reboot is one of those possibilities, but one that has yet to be confirmed or addressed by the franchise's producers. This might depend on those discussions - and could possibly be determined as the Twilight fandom - remains quite active, especially as they often gather and interact, often sharing their thoughts - there are countless sites dedicated to exploring the stories that made The Twilight Series so successful - there's also the element of how much Stephenie Meyer Twilight still has an audience today. Although those discussions about a new adaptation or an updated iteration of this film - have yet to come to a definitive conclusion, it is important to acknowledge how those stories may, perhaps, need a new look and update, in order to meet the modern era’s sensibilities as well as for the potential of new, more diverse talent and cast members who could take those characters to an entirely different space.
