Major UPGRADE for Selena Gomez, who used to date one of those greasy Jonas Brothers (I don’t know which one and it doesn’t matter) and is now rumored to be swapping totally virginal spit with Twilight hottie Taylor Lautner. The two are both filming flicks in Vancouver right now, and photogs have spotted them out and about on more than one occasion, although they always do their best to hide from the cameras.

When they had a break from filming (him New Moon and her Beezus and Ramona), Lautner, 17, picked up Gomez, 16, at her hotel Saturday, and the young couple headed for dinner at the upscale Cactus Club in the town of Coquitlam.

After dinner, they linked arms and walked to a nearby cineplex to see the Beyonce Knowles thriller Obsessed. “They were cuddling throughout the movie and sat very close together,” says an onlooker. “[They were] definitely acting like they were boyfriend and girlfriend.”

Oooh, I would love for these two to be a couple. I just think Taylor’s so adorable and handsome. If I were 16 still, I’d totally be all up on his fang.

Good to see that Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart are continuing their international We Don’t Give a Fuck Tour well into 2009.

This week, they’re not giving a fuck in Tokyo, where they’re accompanied by a (much larger!) Taylor Lautner.

See how cool they are?

They don’t give a fuck!

In additional Twilight news, people are spreading rumors that Drew Barrymore is on the short list to direct the third feature, Eclipse. I think it’s waaaay too early to be speculating on this sort of thing, and they haven’t even filmed the second one, but Twilight news drives traffic. Also, can you imagine how much of a fuck Kristen Stewart won’t be giving by the time they’re doing the third promotional tour for these films? She is seriously going to show up on red carpets clutching a bong and getting head from Robert Pattinson.

Boo-yah!!! My cutie-pie Taylor Lautner has been signed on to play Jacob in the Twilight sequel, New Moon, and will not be replaced by consummate douchebag Michael Copon. Twilight author Stephenie Meyer posted the following on her blog today:

Good news about New Moon from director Chris Weitz:

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

I’d just like to add that I was very much a part of this decision. My first priority was always what was best for New Moon—what was going to give us the best possible movie. I’m truly thrilled that Taylor was the one who proved to the director, to Summit, and to me that he is the best possible Jacob we could have. And I’m very much looking forward to seeing what he’s going to bring to Jacob’s character this year.

- Steph

Yay! I think Taylor is just so darling and I would have been so sad if that meat-head Copon had stolen his thunder. I’m glad the director listened to what the audience wanted.

And good for Taylor (and his agent!) for fighting tooth and nail for this.

Thanks Jeanette!

Oooh, casting drama is the best kind of drama. It’s so cut-throat and heartless!

Apparently Twilight producers still don’t think that cutie pie Taylor Lautner is right for the role of Jacob in New Moon, and it’s looking more and more likely that the role will go to 26-year-old Michael Copon, whose list of credentials include a role in Scorpion King 2 and looking vaguely ethnic. He also has a body type that I like to refer to as “douchebag buff.”

A representative for Copon says they’re making a full effort to land the high-profile gig. And the actor has even recently updated his Facebook status with messages like: “Michael Copon [is] in a Twilight Zone!” and “Michael Copon is the older Jacob Black!” Wow. I hate him already. I think Taylor is adorable and I don’t think they should replace him.

Michael “Douchebag” Copon is pictured above at an event in November. I have no idea who those girls are, and neither does the photo agency. I hope they’re his sisters. Because otherwise I’m really embarrassed for him.

Update: Thanks to commenter Diana for pointing out that this douche was once a Power Ranger.

This clip of Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner on Tyra’s show is worth watching just to hear Tyra spend a minute talking in a British accent, and behaving as though she is really, really good at it.

Also: Taylor Lautner is WAY HOTTER with short hair than with long. I didn’t think much of him in the film (he plays Jacob) but in this clip he’s definitely attractive.

Part II is after the jump.

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