Taylor Lautner is preparing for a superstar coronation with 'New Moon'

How can you be a true professional at the tender young age of 17?  Never letting them see you sweat certainly qualifies.  Taylor Lautner was fighting off some viral bug this past weekend during the press days for  "The Twilight Saga: New Moon," but you'd never know it.  Sure, the numerous protein shakes helped, but Lautner didn't show an ounce of impatience or disinterest even in a later afternoon chat.  He even continued doing interviews long past his older co-stars.  

It's that genuine kindness, charisma and work ethic that has put Lautner on the brink of rivaling his fellow "Twilight" icons in popularity.  Over the past 18 months, the teenager hasn't even shot any other films besides the original blockbuster, "New Moon" and the recently completed third installment, "Eclipse," but you'd think his resume was three times as long based on all the media attention he receives.  So, when he talked about how excited he was regarding his upcoming projects -- which he honestly couldn't elaborate on -- he wasn't kidding.  The last thing Lautner's getting offered are typical teen horror flicks.  When he says it's good, we should assume it's of the "Holy cow, Vanessa Hudgens is starring in Zack Snyder's 'Suckerpunch'" variety.

Not surprisingly, Lautner can't even escape from questions on keeping up his impressive "New Moon" physique from this reporter, but also dived into revealing his thoughts on Jacob's progression through the three films and just how "protective" his character will be in "Eclipse."

You can watch the complete interview embedded on this page or to watch a larger version, click here.

If you haven't seen HitFix's interview with Stewart's "Twilight Saga" co-star Robert Pattinson, click here.  To check out our chat with Kristen Stewart click here. 

Conversations with director the Cullens, Chris Weitz, the Wolfpack and the Volturi will be posted overthe next week. "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" opens nationwide on Nov. 20.  Find tickets and showtimes and more "New Moon" content here.

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