Lautner, who captured much of the audience’s attention in The Twilight Saga: New Moon, has landed a leading role. The project is sure to seal Lautner’s superstar status in the hearts of young women everywhere.
The 17-year-old actor will be playing Josh McGrath, a teenaged extreme sportster whose accidental exposure to secret nanotechnology gives him superhuman strength and the power to change his appearance.
The superhero is one of several Mattel creations. Max Steel was featured in a television series from 1999 until 2002, and was also part of a toy collection in 1999.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Chad Damiani and J.P. Lavin are currently working on the screenplay.
Before Twilight, Lautner had only small roles in television and film. He starred in Cheaper by the Dozen 2 with Steve Martin in 2005.
The second film of the Twilight franchise is currently in theatres. Lautner will reprise his role as Jacob in the third instalment, scheduled for release on June 30, 2010. He will also be starring in the film Valentine’s Day with Julia Roberts, Bradley Cooper, Jessica Biel and Anne Hathaway on February 12.