The Jaw-Dropping Reason Taylor Lautner Was Almost Recast in The Twilight Saga

Taylor Lautner and Kristen StewartTaylor Lautner and Kristen Stewart

In Twilight, where vampires sparkle and werewolves charm, there's a behind-the-scenes tale that almost changed the fate of one beloved character. Brace yourselves for the jaw-dropping reason why Taylor Lautner, our one and only Jacob Black, was nearly recast in The Twilight Saga.

Taylor Lautner Spills The Tea on Call Her Daddy

In a recent revelation on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast, Taylor Lautner spilled the tea about the nerve-wracking moment when he received a call that turned his world upside down. "Yeah, they called me and said, 'Thank you for your participation, but we are recasting you for the rest of the franchise,'" Lautner shared, sending shockwaves through our Twilight-loving hearts.

In the books, Jacob transforms from a scrawny 16-year-old reminiscing over mud pies with Bella to a hunky, mature-looking heart throb (thanks to supernatural werewolf puberty). Little did we know, this metamorphosis almost cost Lautner his role in the franchise. Imagine a Twilight without those beefy werewolf abs – unfathomable, right?

Who Else Could've Played Jacob Black?

As it turns out, the threat of recasting came when director Chris Weitz decided to explore new options for the role of Jacob Black. Actor Michael Copon made a very public play for the gig, leaving fans on edge about the fate of Lautner's character.

How Did Taylor Lautner Reprise His Role as Jacob Black?

As time would soon tell, Taylor Lautner proved he's not just a pretty face but a dedicated actor willing to fight for his role. He hit the gym, sculpting his physique into the wolfish charm we all know and love. His determination paid off when he successfully re-auditioned, securing his spot in the Twilight universe.

It wasn't all smooth sailing, though. Lautner had to face the casting directors once again, but this time, he had a secret weapon – Kristen Stewart. The Bella Swan herself supported Lautner, insisting, "You're not reading with any casting director, you're reading with me." Maybe there is a universe where Bella and Jacob are endgame.

Can you imagine a Twilight without Taylor Lautner's iconic line, "Bella, Where Have You Been Loca?" We shudder at the thought! While some argue that a recast wouldn't have altered the script, we can't deny the sheer iconic nature of Lautner's delivery.

This conversation sheds light on Hollywood's beauty standards and the pressure on actors to physically evolve alongside their characters. Lautner opened up about his journey, sharing, "I'd been, like, hardcore working out for about 9 months and had added 20-25 pounds of muscle by that point, and, well, they were surprised."

In the end, Lautner's gains not only saved Jacob but also gave us a swoon-worthy werewolf. We're eternally grateful for Kristen Stewart's support and Lautner's dedication to embodying the spirit of Jacob Black. The Twilight Saga remains intact, and our hearts continue to beat for Team Jacob.

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Lead Photo: Kevin Winter / Staff / Getty Images Entertainment.

No films today can quite measure up to old school Western movies, which transport audiences back to a time of dusty plains, rugged landscapes, and larger-than-life heroes.

These timeless classics, which were often set in the wild frontier of the American West, have helped shape much of modern filmmaking and continue to influence storytelling today.

That's why old school Western movies are more than just a genre; they're a piece of Hollywood history. Here are eight of the most iconic films that still deserve to be rewatched today.

Scroll to see all the old school Western movies you should definitely watch!

Stanley Cramer Productions

1. High Noon (1952)

High Noon, which came out in 1952, depicted themes of duty, loneliness, and moral courage. It followed lawman Will Kane, played by Gary Cooper, who intends to retire and start a new life after tying the knot with his wife, Amy.

However, his plans are derailed when he learns that a dangerous outlaw named Frank Miller is returning to town to get revenge. Will has to decide whether to flee or face Frank himself.

The movie builds a sense of urgency and isolation, as well as provides commentary on the nature of heroism, showing how even people who claim they stand for justice can fold when confronted with personal risk.

Warner Brothers Entertainment

2. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)

In 1948, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre followed two down-on-their-luck oil workers, Dobbs and Curtin, who team up with a miner named Howard to search for gold in the Sierra Madre mountains. Yet, after they literally strike gold, paranoia creeps in, and the group's bond starts to unravel.

While this film is a classic Western, it also doubles as a psychological thriller and features a lot of unexpected twists that will capture the attention of even modern viewers.

20th Century Studios

3. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

Paul Newman plays Butch Cassidy in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, the leader of a group of bank robbers. Meanwhile, the Sundance Kid, portrayed by Robert Redford, is Butch's loyal partner, and together, their lives get tougher as banks become increasingly harder to rob.

So, they turn to train heists, but even though the new scheme is successful at first, it soon leads to deadly consequences. They become the most wanted men in the West and get caught up in thrilling escapes and shootouts.

20th Century Fox

4. The Gunfighter (1950)

Released in 1950, The Gunfighter provided a fresh take on the classic Western hero. Gregory Peck starred as Jimmy Ringo, a notorious gunfighter who returned to the town of Cayenne to reconnect with his estranged wife and son.

But since his reputation precedes him, Ringo finds himself facing some people who want revenge and others who wish to make a name for themselves by killing him.

The plotline offers a more somber view of the consequences of being a gunfighter, which challenges the glorified image of the Western hero.

United Artists

5. Stagecoach (1939)

Stagecoach follows a group of passengers aboard a stagecoach, one of whom is Ringo Kid, played by John Wayne. Ringo is an escaped convict who wants revenge for the murders of his family members.

It's true that the movie's portrayal of Native Americans is outdated today. Nonetheless, Stagecoach marked a significant moment in John Wayne's career and remains a popular favorite among Western enthusiasts.

Paramount Pictures

6. Shane (1953)

Shane tells the story of a mysterious drifter named Shane, played by Alan Ladd, who gets involved with two homesteaders, Joe and Marian, as they face harassment from a land developer. After the developer's intimidation tactics get more violent, Shane decides to stay with Joe and Marian's family to protect them.

This film defined the archetype of a strong anti-hero, with a main conflict of violence versus the desire for peace. It also has beautiful cinematography.

United Artists

7. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966)

Unfolding against the backdrop of the American Civil War, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly follows three men who get tied up in a race to discover $200,000 buried in gold.

A bounty hunter, a convict, and a mercenary each hold a piece of the puzzle, but none of them has all the information they need to pinpoint the treasure. So, despite their ruthlessness, there are some moments of cooperation that arise out of necessity and set the stage for a showdown.

Clint Eastwood, who portrays the bounty hunter, delivered a poignant performance, as did Eli Wallach and Lee Van Cleef.

20th Century Fox

8. My Darling Clementine (1946)

Finally, My Darling Clementine, directed by John Ford, portrays the famous events surrounding the O.K. Corral shootout. It centers on Wyatt Earp, played by Henry Fonda, who becomes the Marshal after the brutal killing of his younger brother James.

Spoiler alert: Wyatt ultimately learns that one of the Clanton brothers was responsible for James' death. This leads to the legendary gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

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Ann Taylor’s spring dress collection is just too good. They always nail polished styles that still have the perfect amount of playfulness! From fun prints to more basic colorways, these stunning spring dresses from Ann Taylor can take you practically anywhere in style.

Scroll on to shop 8 Ann Taylor dresses I'm definitely eyeing for spring!

Ann Taylor

Belted Sheath Dress

Springtime is prime time for pastels, and this light pink number nails the seasonal color. It's pretty polished in the details throughout, plus it's all cinched together oh-so nicely with the thin belt around the waist.

Ann Taylor

Studio Collection Silk Flutter Sleeve Midi Dress

Oh, yeah. The ruching on the side of this silky midi is nothing short of flattering – I could definitely see this style working wonderfully as a wedding guest dress.

Ann Taylor

Striped Pleated Sweater Tank Dress

With contrasting vertical and horizontal stripes, this sweater-y (but still lightweight) tank dress doesn't have to work too hard to make a statement. Thus, you can easily pair it with some basic black shoes and a colorful cardigan to complete your spring look.

Ann Taylor

Tweed Sheath Dress

This color, though! Aside from the stunning buttons and modest coverage, I love the bold shade of this dress for spring. Again, it really speaks for itself, so you shouldn't have to dress it up too much to pull a 'fit.

Ann Taylor

Square Neck Flare Dress

Easy-wearing and oh-so soft thanks to the light material it's made of, this midi dress is practically begging to become your everyday piece this spring. A square neckline is always flattering, plus this design's skirt is the right amount of casual.

Ann Taylor

Dotted Crepe Column Midi Dress

Polka dots are the pattern to rock this season, so I'm obviously eyeing this chic silhouette. It's fairly free-flowing, but comes with a sleek belt at the waist to gather your look together.

Ann Taylor

Denim Sheath Dress

Denim dresses are everything to me, and I love that this one makes a more formal departure from the other casual denim pieces in my closet. It definitely has a workwear quality to it – I'd wear it with ballet flats and a polished cardigan for an easy, yet put-together spring outfit.

Ann Taylor

Striped Smocked-Waist Midi Flare Dress

Hello, waistline! This midi comes complete with a smocked waist that flatters your bod to a tee.

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

The Summer I Turned Pretty fans, we finally have an update on our favorite show! Prime Video just announced that season 3, starring Lola Tung, Christopher Briney, and Gavin Casalegno will be coming in July — and that this season (which has 3 extra episodes, FYI!) will be the show's final season. But while fans weren't too surprised by the announcement (Jenny Han only wrote three books, after all), there's one detail of the official season 3 poster that has TV fans in a tizzy.

Keep reading for a breakdown of the craziest The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 theory yet — and don't forget to check out the first look images!

'The Summer I Turned Pretty' fans can't wait to return to Cousins

The official TSITP account posted the poster for season 3 on March 7, confirming the next episodes were dropping in July. "Summer is just a season away," the caption reads. "The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 premieres this July on Prime Video."

And fans immediately flooded the comments cheering for Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah. While some users admitted they were already "crying," others range from "Prepares to defend Conrad for one last summer" to "WHERE ARE ALL THE JELLY SUPPORTERS COME ON GUYS WE NEED TO STAND UP FOR WHATS RIGHT." And even a very passionate, "If she doesn’t end up with Conrad this will go down as the worst show ever because I’LL NEVER GET OVER IT."

Even Spotify's Instagram picked a side by commenting, "team conrad we have WAITED for this day."

But some eagle-eyed fans picked up on one detail about the poster that's different than season 1 and 2: Belly's by herself.

@thesummeriturnedpretty

We'll always have summer ☀️

♬ original sound - the summer i turned pretty

While the poster for The Summer I Turned Pretty season 1 features Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah with the summer house in the background, and the main poster for season 2 features the trio sitting on the beach, The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 poster features Belly standing by herself in front of a bush of hydrangeas. Because, y'all, Belly is in bloom.

She's not the same girl she was at the start of the series — and even if she still has a ton of questions about life (don't we all?) she has way more confidence. She's not lost.

And could the fact Belly stands alone on the poster be a clue to the end of the series? "this poster screams belly choosing herself in the end and I’m all here for it!" one X user tweeted.

@_cooper_koch_ The summer I turned pretty season 3 Belly and Conrad 😍 #foryou#pourtoi#fyp#edit#tiktok#viral#thesummeriturnedpretty#belly#conradfisher @Christopher Briney ♬ Gorgeous - Taylor Swift

Although I will point out Belly's yellow dress actually made its rounds on social media last year when videos of Lola Tung and Christopher Briney filming together went viral. So we'll have to tune in this July to figure out who Belly ends up with for sure ;).

Meet The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Cast before it premieres on Prime Video in July 2025!

As much as we love talking about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce...Jason Kelce and his wife Kylie Kelce deserve their time in the spotlight too! They have a loving and hilarious dynamic that's somehow made room for not one, but three kids. And guess what? They recently welcome baby number 4! From their very funny announcement to everything they've said since, there's a lot of fun to unpack here.

Here's everything to know about Jason Kelce & Kylie Kelce's exciting pregnancy!

OMG, when did Kylie Kelce give birth? 

Kylie and Jason welcomed their fourth daughter March 30, according to PEOPLE, but an official announcement was shared via the couple's joint Instagram post on April 1. "Whoop, there she is! Finnley “Finn” Anne Kelce 3/30/25," reads Kylie's caption and we think it's the cheekiest way to describe her arrival.

The subsequent photos of Finnley are just as cute as she's seen wearing the cutest floral onesie and being held by her parents. Call us biased, but she has the most precious face we've ever seen. Even her uncle Travis thinks so!

PEOPLEalso reports the NFL player incredulously told his brother how much he wanted to see Finnley after the latter asked how he felt. "Yes, I want to see my new niece, Jason! You only sent one picture. You didn’t even tell me what name you picked yet."

But his complaints stopped the minute Jason showed him Finnley during their latest New Heights podcast episode. Travis immediately melted and said, "Hey, little muffin! Look at you. You hanging out with Mom? Tell Ky I said hello. I’m glad everything’s going great." He even thinks her name is "adorable."

When did Jason and Kylie announce she's pregnant?

Amazon Prime

Kylie Kelce shared the huge news on Instagram November 22nd! Of course grandma Donna Kelce was the first to leave a comment. She wrote, "🔥🔥🔥🔥😍😍😍 Love it!!!" Brittany Mahomes also commented by writing, "Ahhhhhh Congrats you guys!!!🥹🤍."

How did Jason and Kylie's other daughters react?

Amazon Prime

In Kylie's same Instagram post, her and Jason's daughters can be seen expressing a range of emotions. There's an 'Eek' expression from their oldest daughter Wyatt, a happy look from their middle daughter Elliott, and pure tears from baby girl Bennett. Kylie wrote, "I feel like we captured a very accurate representation of how each of the girls feel about getting another sister. At least Ellie, mom and dad are on the same page! 🤷♀️"

How did Jason and Kylie prepare to be a family of six?

Amazon Prime

Jason Kelce took the news of being an official girl dad like a champ. He told E! Newshe's "got it pretty easy" because "the clothes are all going to be hand-me-downs or already bought." Not only that, but they'd already secured a baby crib prior to their newborn's birth.

“I love my kids so much, and especially my daughters,” he added. "I was telling somebody out there because they're expecting their first — and they look at you. They smile at you. There's just a way that kids have to warm your soul in a way that nothing else can.”

He also shared his excitement about watching his daughters grow up with a new sibling. "And hopefully we'll welcome a fourth into this world, and we'll be able to watch them fight and tear each other apart and all the good stuff."

He even appeared on The Rich Eisen Show where he joked, "I'm screwed [in] like in 10 years. The moment they’re all in middle school, I feel like it’s just gonna be chaos." He also hopes Wyatt "can start helping out a little bit more." But, he's still looking forward to it! "I obviously have not had a son, but there is something about a daughter in the way I think as a dad, you feel an extra amount probably of protection and love toward that child," he shared.

What did Kylie say about her fourth pregnancy?

Kylie previously opened up on her new podcast, Not Gonna Lie, about her feelings on her fourth pregnancy. At the time, she said she was "so incredibly grateful to be able to get pregnant, but it is a means to an end." She further said, "When I tell you that I cannot stand being pregnant, I mean it. I don't have a a fun time."

If that sounds a little uh...negative, it actually makes a lot more sense when she explained more! She elaborated, "I am nauseous for most of my pregnancy. It tapers off a little after the first trimester, but I continue to have nausea throughout my pregnancy." Woof, I know that's tough!

Kyle continued by explaining she hasn't even really had the fun, wacky cravings many pregnant people get — instead she had more "aversions" in each of her pregnancies. I'll take cravings over aversions any day!

The podcast host then joked, "When you're super pregnant and someone comes up to you and says, 'Isn't this just the most beautiful thing ever? 'I want to punch you in the face. I'm not going to, but I want to."

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This post has been updated.

Ever since Good American Family premiered on March 19, there has been renewed interest in the real-life adoption case of Natalia Grace.

The latest Hulu series stars Ellen Pompeo as Kristine Barnett, who adopted an orphan from Ukraine with her husband, Michael Barnett. However, after taking in Natalia, who had a rare form of dwarfism, Kristine began to suspect that she was an adult pretending to be a child.

New episodes of Good American Family are being released on Wednesdays, but as we wait to see what happens next in the TV dramatization, many fans are wondering whether Natalia's adoptive parents ever faced jail time. Here's everything we know.

Scroll to find out what happened to Natalia Grace's adoptive parents, Kristine and Michael Barnett...

Who is Natalia Grace Barnett?

Max

For those unfamiliar with the infamous case, Natalia was born in Ukraine in 2003 and was first adopted by a different couple, Dyan and Gary Ciccone, back in 2008. She only lived with the Ciccone family for two years before they claimed her behavior was disruptive and relinquished their parental rights.

This led Natalia to be placed up for adoption again, and in 2010, the Barnett family welcomed her into their Indiana home. She was thought to be 6 or 7 years old at the time, but soon afterward, the Barnetts claimed Natalia had adult traits, such as adult teeth and body hair, and believed she wasn't actually a little girl.

Additionally, they alleged Natalia was a "sociopath" and had tried to harm them and their biological children, Jacob, Wesley, and Ethan.

What happened to Natalia Grace and the Barnetts?

Max

The Barnetts ultimately petitioned an Indiana court in 2012 in order to change her birth year from 2003 to 1989. Legally, this made Natalia 22 years old, and she was placed in a Lafayette, Indiana, apartment by herself; meanwhile, the Barnetts relocated to Canada with their three sons, Jacob, Wesley, and Ethan.

Afterward, the Barnett family reportedly cut contact with Natalia, who moved in with another couple, Cynthia and Antwon Mans, about one month later. The Mans family petitioned to become her legal guardians in 2016, and by 2023, they were able to legally adopt Natalia.

What happened with Natalia Grace and the Mans?

Max

Nonetheless, Natalia wound up leaving Cynthia and Antwon's home by the end of 2023 after alleging they were controlling. She currently lives in upstate New York with the DePaul family and appeared in the docuseries The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks. There, she called the Barnetts abusive and alleged Kristine had hit her with a belt and pepper-sprayed her.

What happened to Kristine and Michael Barnett?

Max

Following their move to Canada, Michael and Kristine eventually got divorced but maintained that Natalia had exhibited violent behavior. Some allegations include that she'd appeared at the foot of their bed with a knife in her hand and attempted to poison Kristine's coffee.

Despite the fact that they filed the petition to change Natalia's age in 2012, Michael and Kristine weren't charged until 2019. They faced multiple counts of neglect, but Michael was found not guilty in 2022, and the charges against Kristine were subsequently dropped in 2023 after Michael testified in her pretrial.

Kristine Barnett reportedly wrote in a since-deleted Facebook post, "If there had been any abuse of Natalia or evidence of it, I would have been found guilty of it, and I would be in jail. I believe Natalia takes advantage of that sympathy to manipulate people."

Michael filed for divorce in 2014 and later appeared on The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks. As for Kristine, she has mostly flown under the public radar.

Still, following the finale of the docuseries, Kristine shared a long post on Facebook, responding to allegations against her.

"Natalia was a very much loved and cared for member of my family. She was not abused by anyone in my family. Let's get straight to these allegations. Nobody ever took a belt to Natalia, and the allegations that she was 'beaten' are just plain false. Any discipline of Natalia was very minimal and not out of the bounds of normal parenting," she wrote.

Natalia went on to call the docuseries "highly sensationalized," adding, "Michael Barnett and Natalia Barnett may have the same monster, but that monster is not me. That monster, whether it's mental illness, sociopathy, or whatever it actually is, may be different for each of them. But it's within their own psyche."

Who plays Natalia Grace Barnett today?

Disney/Ser Baffo

In Good American Family, Imogen Faith Reid plays Natalia Grace, and Mark Duplass depicts Michael Barnett. Ellen Pompeo has said the latest series intends to show both sides of the adoption story in an "intentional and thoughtful" way.

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