Actor Taylor "Twilight Saga: New Moon" Lautner is attached to play the Hasbro toy character "Stretch Armstrong" in a new Universal 3D feature planned for a 2012 release."In the past two years, Taylor has emerged as a real star at the global box office", said Donna Langley Universal Pictures co-chair.
"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'.”
"Stretch Armstrong" was a large, gel-filled action figure, introduced in 1976 by toy manufacturer Kenner, with arms and legs that could stretch outwards without breaking.
The doll was re-issued in the 1990's from Cap Toys, with a canine sidekick 'Fetch Armstrong' and a brother named "Evil X-Ray Wretch Armstrong', with stretching arms and a grimacing skullhead.
Other similar releases were 'Stretch Monster', a reptilian nemesis, Kenner's "Stretch X-Ray" with visible internal organs, Cap Toys' 'Stretch Vac-Man' and ToyQuest's 'Super Morphman', both of which were filled with a granular solid instead of the viscous liquid found in the other figures.Current screenplay for "Stretch Armstrong' is by Steve Oedekerk, ("Evan Almighty", for producer Brian Grazer.
Sneak Peek "Stretch Armstrong" and friends...
