VOD Spotlight: Taylor Lautner in “Abduction”

The idea for the film Abduction was sparked by a chance comment in a meeting which included screenwriter Shawn Christensen — an idea about a film about a boy who sees himself as a child on a missing persons website. Two months later, Christensen submitted the script.

This germ of an idea could have become any number of things, but Christensen had made it a thriller. John Singleton (Boyz n the Hood) signed on to direct, and Taylor Lautner, the brooding werewolf of the Twilight franchise, stars as a teen who learns his entire life was a lie. But when he begins to unravel the truth, he is soon on a run for his life.

“People have never seen Taylor Lautner the way they’re going to see him in this movie. He really blossoms as an actor,” Singleton says. “You’re able to see the growth of a new star that’s going to be around for a long time. … He’s charismatic in this movie, he’s romantic, he’s charming and he kicked ass. What more can you want?”

Lautner, who has a lifelong love of action films, says of his role, “[This] is by far the most physically challenging role I’ve ever done … I love the character and everything he goes through in the story.” And, with his training in martial arts, he got a chance to do many of his own stunts — including a long slide down the glass covering of an escalator at PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

While doing most of his own stunts, Lautner was fearless, according to Singleton. “He can box. He can do martial arts. He can do these flips on a dime. It’s great for me as a director because I don’t have to cut away too much when he’s in action because it’s really him doing these amazing things.”

“Abduction” is available starting Jan. 17 on Video On Demand. Check your cable system for VOD availability.

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© 2012 Lionsgate Entertainment