Taylor Lautner has revealed that to prepare for his role in New Moon he has spent time bonding with his co-star Kristen Stewart.
Lautner is back in the role of Jacob Black in the second of Stephenie Meyer's novels to be adapted for the big screen in a much larger role than in Twilight.
In New Moon Jacob Black strikes up a close friendship with Bella Swan after her vampire lover Edward Cullen leaves her and the pair have tried to emulate that friendship when the cameras weren't rolling in a bid to make it believable on the big screen.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly Lautner said: "It was vital. Edward (Robert Pattinson) and Bella's (Stewart) relationship is so intense, but Jacob and Bella's is very laid-back," MTV News quotes him as saying.
"They are so open, and they can tell each other everything. So it was very important for me and Kristen to grow very close before doing this.
"It wasn't like we went out to, like, theme parks together or anything. It was just, like, going to each other's houses, hanging out, going and getting some dinner. A lot of nothing - just spending time together."
But Lautner almost lost the role of Black after Twilight as it was feared that the sixteen year old actor wouldn't be able to take on the physical changes that his character experiences throughout New Moon.
By the young star, who picked up a Best Fresh Face gong at the Teen Choice Awards earlier in the week, hit the gym on the muscle.
New Moon is released in November.
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