Pictured: Katherine Heigl, Kate Hudson, Reese Witherspoon, Carrie Underwood, Jessica Stroup, Jewel, Jordin Sparks, Brooke Burke, Debra Messing, Queen Latifah, Marisa Tomei, Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, AnnaLynne McCord, Jennie Garth, Ellen Degeneres & Portia de Rossi, Christina Applegate

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The speculation is over: Taylor Lautner will get to play Jacob Black after all in the Twilight sequel New Moon.

Questions had arisen about whether the 16-year-old could effectively portray his werewolf character, who ages 10 years and grows much taller and bulkier in the film’s sequel. But Weitz said Lautner, who’s been hitting the gym to build muscle, is “emotionally right for the part” and has the movie studio’s full support.

Dear Twilight Fans,

I’m very happy to announce that Taylor Lautner will be playing Jacob Black in NEW MOON, and that he’s doing so with the enthusiastic support of Summit Entertainment, the producers, and Stephenie Meyer.

The characters in Stephenie’s books go through extraordinary changes of circumstance and also appearance; so it is not surprising that there has been speculation about whether the same actor would portray a character who changes in so many surprising ways throughout the series.

But it was my first instinct that Taylor was, is, and should be Jacob, and that the books would be best served by the actor who is emotionally right for the part.

I think that fans of TWILIGHT, the book and the movie, will be surprised by the Jacob Black that Taylor will bring to the screen in NEW MOON; and I’m looking forward to working with him and the rest of the cast in realizing the film.

Very Best,
Chris Weitz

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Looks like Carrie Underwood won’t be singing the blues any time soon. Though she was linked to former Bachelor star Travis Stork this past fall, Carrie celebrated New Year’s Eve with a different kind of player: Ottawa Senators hockey star Mike Fisher.

Carrie, 25, and Mike, 28, were spotted at a Dec. 31 party at the home of Mike’s teammate Jason Spezza. “All Mike’s teammates know he and Carrie are together,” an insider confirms.

And Mike is apparently too excited to keep the good news to himself. “Mike texted me to let me know he’s dating Carrie,” his pal and personal trainer, Tony Greco says. “He’s been waiting for the right girl to come along. Carrie’s perfect for him.”

Adds the insider, “They met in March and started hanging out shortly after.” And love appears to be turning the country singer into a major sports fan. Carrie was recently spotted at one of Mike’s games, where she made it onto the Jumbotron.

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See who is nominated for the worst in film of 2008! After the jump… More »

John Travolta and Kelly Preston will say their final goodbyes to 16-year-old son Jett at his funeral Thursday afternoon, the Associated Press reports.

Jett will be buried in Ocala, Florida, where he lived with his family for several months out of the year. A time has not yet been announced.

The 16-year-old died from a seizure on Friday afternoon at his family’s home in The Bahamas, according to autopsy results released Monday. His body was cremated on Monday, and his ashes were flown to the U.S.

“John is distraught,” Travolta’s attorney and confidant, Michael McDermott, and Michael Ossi, the family’s lawyer, told Usmagazine.com Saturday during an interview in which they asked to be jointly quoted.

“This is the most traumatic thing that has ever happened to him, and he needs to go through a process of healing,” the lawyers added. “John and Kelly are suffering total misery. They were so close to their son. This is hard to accept.”

The couple thanked fans for their “prayers and support” in a statement released Sunday. Flowers, posters and condolence messages have also been left for the family and their 8-year-old daughter, Ella, at their Florida estate.

Although it’s been reported celebs like Oprah Winfrey and Tom Cruise would attend, Access Hollywood reports they have scheduling conflicts.

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