Take hope, Team Lautner!

Entertainment Weekly is reporting that Taylor Lautner, the swoony teen heartthrob who played werewolf Jacob Black in Twilight, may yet have a shot at reprising the role in the upcoming sequel, New Moon.

Rumors had been circulating that Summit Entertainment was going to cut Lautner loose, supposedly because the lithe youth (he's just 16) was a little too lithe to play a character who becomes a hulking, muscular, furry lycanthrope. This despite the fact that original cast members Kristen Stewart (Bella) and Robert Pattinson (Edward) were signed to return.

But EW now reports that Summit will make its decision sometime this week.

"Jacob is a totally different character in New Moon," Melissa Rosenberg, screenwriter of both Twilight films, told EW. "He's a foot taller and huge—and he's supposed to look 25. It's really a question of whether or not the same actor can play the role." Rosenberg is quick to add, however, that "everyone would love to keep him. We all think he's the loveliest person ever."

EW reported that Lautner has gained 19 pounds and is promising to pack on 10 more before shooting starts on New Moon this March.