Taylor Lautner to star in his own version of 'Taken' meets 'Die Hard'

Taylor Lautner is finally getting ready to show off his mad karate skills on the big screen.

Credit: AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

Anyone who doesn't think "New Moon" star Taylor Lautner isn't ready to be an action star didn't see the former junior karate champion display his moves on "Saturday Night Live" last week.  The 17-year-old showed a reverse flip and some mad sword-fighting skills that no doubt raised the eyebrows of every Hollywood studio executive already looking to work with the teen sensation.  Now, Variety reports Summit Entertainment is actively engaged in keeping Lautner in the fold by developing a new untitled action flick around him.

The trade reports that the concept is described as a "teenaged 'Taken' meets 'Die Hard" thriller. A script has already been crafted by Eric Champnella and Grant Thompson that will be the core story for the picture.  Lautner will play a new college student whose plans to become an elite soldier are sidelined after an injury.  While at school he falls for a girl who convinces him to head to Cancun with some friends for spring break.  As bad luck would have it, the group is kidnapped in a potential hostage exchange for a drug cartel leader about to be extradited to the United States.  Lautner's character will use fighting skills to rescue his peers. 

The project will be produced by Lautner's father, Dan Lautner and Temple Hill partners Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen who know the young star quite well from their work on the "Twilight" franchise.  The film will also be the first project under the Taylor's Tailor Made Entertainment, a new company formed to develop TV and movie vehicles.

Lautner is also expected to star in the Paramount Pictures action flick "Max Steel.'  It's unclear which project will be able to fit into the actor's schedule before he's required to return as Jacob to shoot the fourth and possibly fifth installments in the "Twilight Saga," "Breaking Dawn."

The actor will appear on screen next in a small role in the romantic comedy ensemble "Valentine's Day" in February and in "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" this June.