Jacob gave me a lot to prove: Taylor Lautner

New Delhi: He had a blink-and-miss role in `Twilight`, the first film in the hit vampire series, and was almost replaced in the second, but actor Taylor Lautner claims that he is perfect as werewolf Jacob Black.The 17-year-old actor got a chance to prove himself in `New Moon` and took the challenge to transform himself into a hefty man to fit Jacob`s development from a teenager into a giant werewolf.

"I am thankful that I got such a huge film at the right time when I most needed it and it did click with people. I firmly believe that Jacob was the perfect role for me, but it gave me a lot to prove," Lautner told reporters in an email interview. The 17-year-old actor, who plays the role of a jilted lover, the third angle in the unusual love story between a vampire and a human, claims that his role is completely opposite to his real persona. "I don`t identify with the role of a jilted lover in real life. I try and keep honesty in my approach. So actually I am not Jacob," he said. The teen star has no qualms about the fact that his role in the first film was negligible as compared to that of co-star Robert Pattinson, who shot to overnight fame with his turn as vampire Edward Cullen in the series. "It has never been only about Edward or Bella. I would say Jacob is equally an important character. It is a series which would go on and has to be followed up by `Eclipse`. It is a chronological story, so when it builds up, my character comes in the limelight and people relate to it," Lautner said. `Twilight` fans are going gaga over Lautner`s newly acquired physique have divided themselves into `Team Jacob` and `Team Edward` but he shrugs off competition with the British actor. "As far as comparisons are concerned, I never think of them. My job is acting and that`s it. I don`t think that I even have any pressure. People are liking me equally as they are liking Rob in the role of Edward," he added. The Indian fans of the vampire saga are also eagerly awaiting the release of `New Moon` here on December 11, by PVR Pictures. "I am so happy, that our work is being liked all over. My message is not just for the fans of Team Jacob or Edward, but it is for the fans of Team Twilight all over India to keep giving us their regards as they had done in the past. I assure that `New Moon` will be more enthralling than `Twilight`," he said. The actor had to transform his looks from a lanky teenager into a beefy hunk to look his part, which was a tough call, as Lautner almost got replaced because his looks did not match the character described in the book. "It was actually a challenge because I had to put on weight as I needed a body that matched the character. Actually Jacob transforms a lot in `New Moon`, not only physically but mentally and emotionally as well. So it was a matter of getting to the gym for sure, then eating the right food and a lot of it," said Lautner. "I needed to have a decent body, so that it looks just perfect while I am shirtless. I worked out five days a week, but most important was the diet. I was conscious of not taking much fat and also not burning much calories. I had a lot of Beef patties, Raw almonds, Sweet potatoes on all the days of exercises," he added. The actor is currently shooting for the third film in the series `Eclipse` and also has another romantic film in hand alongwith country singer Taylor Swift, rumoured to be his girlfriend in real life. "I am doing a film called `Valentine`s Day`, which is a romantic comedy, directed by Garry Marshall. The film is a multi-starrer and has actors like Jessica Alba, Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway and Jennifer Garner involved. It is about 10 different stories in Los Angeles, revolving around Valentine`s Day," said Lautner. PTI