Taylor Lautner is STRETCH ARMSTRONG

Ever since it was announced nearly a year ago that STRETCH ARMSTRONG would be making the leap to the big screen, dozens of people (okay, maybe not even that many) were clamoring for information as to what thespian would be stepping into the role of the stretchy one.  Well, that wait is over, and those dozens of fans may soon be growing to millions.

Universal has announced none other than TWILIGHT star Taylor Lautner will be taking on the role.  What’s more, we will be getting he, his abs, and his stretchy appendages (still no word on how much that, little tidbit about the character will factor into the film) in glorious 3-D.  Oh, joy!

Universal also announced with this news that the film will be releasing in 2012 along with BATTLESHIP, another Hasbro property the studio owns.  This comes as news of a push-back for BATTLESHIP, which was to have bowed on July 29, 2011.  The Peter Berg directed film will now come out on Memorial Day, 2012.

Says Brian Goldner, President and CEO of Hasbro, Inc.:

Universal has put all the elements in place to successfully launch two of our classic Hasbro brands on the big screen.  The addition of Taylor Lautner and the 3-D twist to Stretch Armstrong, in addition to giving Pete Berg and the filmmakers the extra time and resources to make Battleship an even bigger summer blockbuster, is sure to pay dividends when the film is released in 2012.

Says Universal co-chairman, Donna Langley, about Lautner coming on board STRETCH ARMSTRONG:

In the past two years, Taylor has emerged as a real star at the global box office. He brings the perfect balance of energy and athleticism to the role of an unlikely super hero with a fantastic super power.  We couldn’t be more pleased that he has agreed to be our Stretch.

There is still no word on who will be stepping in as director of STRETCH ARMSTRONG, though Brian Grazer is producing and the film will be based on a screenplay by Steve Oedekerk.