Twilight Star Taylor Lautner Got the Greatest Compliment of Being Like a ‘Young Tom Cruise’ That Would Even Make Robert Pattinson Jealous
Taylor Lautner was once called similar to Hollywood megastar Tom Cruise. This compliment is an achievement on its own. The kind that would make even Robert Pattinson jealous.
Hollywood is a sea of talent. One where highly skilled individuals rise and fall like tides. And in that ever-evolving world of glitz and glamour, everyone wants to make a big name. Twilight star Taylor Lautner has not been an exception to this. In his early days in the industry, Lautner received one great compliment. One that no one could dream of ever receiving.
Taylor Lautner: The Young Tom Cruise
Taylor Lautner was launched to global stardom with the immense success of The Twilight Saga, playing Kristen Stewart’s possible love interest Jacob. At just 16, Lautner became one of the most familiar faces on the face of the planet.
Lautner became the rising star, the kid to watch out for. Teenage girls and studios wanted him alike. Twilight went on to become a multi-billion dollar franchise. The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl star’s debut as a leading man was with Lionsgate’s Abduction. The action-thriller hit theatres the same year when Lautner bowed out as Jacob.
Things don’t always go as planned. Abduction didn’t either. The film was a flop. But Lautner’s talent and skill didn’t go unnoticed. Joe Drake, producer and former president of motion pictures at Lionsgate, once told The Hollywood Reporter:
“When you watch Taylor, he’s like a young Tom Cruise. The way he handles his business, he’s such a pro. He’s a big star. I’ve just never seen anybody handle their business the way he does….He knows how to sell, and he’s a hell of an actor.”
This compliment was made very early on in Lautner’s career and he has turned out to be a remarkable actor. This was also the time when things were not that great between Lautner and fellow Twilight star Robert Pattinson. Fans sensed that a compliment like this would have caused some jealousy on Pattinson’s part.
Taylor Lautner’s Response to the Great Compliment
Lautner has always been ambitious and he has vocalized his thoughts quite candidly in interviews. The actor once mentioned Cruise to be an actor whose career he would like to emulate. He said:
“I’ve always been a huge fan of Tom Cruise, Matt Damon, Denzel Washington. I think what it is that I respect about their careers so much is how they’ve continued to do different things throughout. Their careers are enormous, and they’ve never done the same thing over and over again.”
Getting compared to one of your idols is a big deal but Lautner brushed it off saying: “That’s quite the honor.” Lautner’s career didn’t rise as was predicted. He is still a gem in the mine of Hollywood.
