10 Shocking Ways Kristen Stewart And Taylor Lautner Have Left ‘Twilight’ Behind (And Their Wild New Projects In 2025)

The enduring saga of Bella Swan and Jacob Black may have ended over a decade ago, but the careers of Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner continue to evolve in surprising, often radical, new directions. Far from the teen melodrama of the Twilight Saga, both actors have carved out unique paths, with the latest updates in late 2025 showing a fascinating divergence: one is embracing the director's chair and arthouse cinema, while the other is hilariously returning to his werewolf roots in a meta-comedy series.

The unbreakable bond between the former co-stars remains a fan favorite, a genuine friendship that transcended the Team Edward vs. Team Jacob frenzy. Today, as they navigate major life and career shifts—from new marriages to directorial debuts—their professional choices are a testament to their desire to shed their iconic supernatural personas and explore Hollywood on their own terms. This is a deep dive into the latest updates on the lives and groundbreaking projects of Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner.

The Complete Biography: Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner

To fully appreciate their current career trajectories, it is essential to look at the foundational milestones of the two stars who defined a generation of supernatural romance.

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Kristen Jaymes Stewart (Bella Swan)

• Full Name: Kristen Jaymes Stewart
• Born: April 9, 1990, in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Age (as of late 2025): 35
• Key Milestones: Rose to prominence as a child actress in Panic Room (2002); global fame as Bella Swan in The Twilight Saga (2008–2012); became the first American actress to win a César Award for Clouds of Sils Maria (2014); earned an Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of Princess Diana in Spencer (2021).
• Current Focus: Directing, screenwriting, and producing. She is set to direct her feature film debut, The Chronology of Water.
• Personal Life: Engaged to screenwriter Dylan Meyer.

Taylor Daniel Lautner (Jacob Black)

• Full Name: Taylor Daniel Lautner
• Born: February 11, 1992, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
• Age (as of late 2025): 33
• Key Milestones: Started as a child actor in The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D (2005); achieved massive fame as the werewolf Jacob Black in The Twilight Saga; starred in action films like Abduction (2011) and comedies like Grown Ups 2 (2013) and Cuckoo (2024).
• Current Focus: Comedy and meta-television projects, including his new Amazon MGM Studios series.
• Personal Life: Married to nurse Taylor Dome (now Taylor Lautner) in 2022.

1. Taylor Lautner's Hilarious Return to Werewolves in 2025

In a move that has delighted and surprised fans, Taylor Lautner is fully embracing the irony of his most famous role.

The latest news confirms he is starring in and executive producing a scripted comedy series for Amazon MGM Studios titled Taylor Lautner: Werewolf Hunter.

The premise is pure meta-comedy: Lautner plays a fictionalized version of himself who is drawn into a secret society of werewolf trackers.

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This project is a clear sign that Lautner is not only comfortable with his Jacob Black legacy but is actively using it as a springboard for a new phase of his career, leaning into self-referential humor.

It’s a stark contrast to the serious, dramatic roles he pursued immediately after the Twilight franchise concluded, marking a refreshing and unexpected career pivot.

2. Kristen Stewart's Bold Shift to Directing and Arthouse Cinema

While Lautner is chasing werewolves, Kristen Stewart is focused on telling complex, intimate stories from behind the camera.

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Her career since Twilight has been defined by a deep commitment to independent and arthouse films, culminating in her Academy Award-nominated performance in Spencer.

The biggest update in her career is her feature directorial debut, The Chronology of Water, a project she is also writing and producing.

This move solidifies her transition from global blockbuster star to a serious auteur, a path few of her contemporaries have successfully navigated.

In 2024 alone, Stewart had multiple high-profile film releases, including the critically acclaimed romantic thriller Love Lies Bleeding and the sci-fi romance Love Me, proving her continued relevance in the independent film world.

3. Their Unbreakable ‘Like Family’ Friendship

The intensity of the Team Jacob versus Team Edward rivalry was legendary, but in real life, the relationship between Stewart and Lautner has always been one of deep, familial affection.

Lautner has publicly stated that he and Stewart are "like family," a bond forged through the shared, intense experience of global superstardom at a young age.

Unlike many co-star relationships that fade after a franchise ends, their connection has endured, demonstrating a maturity that allowed them to support each other through major life changes.

They have both moved on in their personal lives; Lautner is happily married to Taylor Dome, and Stewart is engaged to Dylan Meyer.

This enduring friendship is a powerful testament to the genuine connection that developed during the filming of the Twilight Saga, a connection that continues to resonate with fans years later.

4. The Post-Twilight Career Divergence: From Blockbuster to Boutique

The career paths of Stewart and Lautner offer a fascinating case study in how actors leverage a massive franchise.

Stewart intentionally gravitated toward complex, challenging roles in smaller, director-driven films, often exploring themes of sexuality and identity, effectively rebranding herself as a critical darling.

Her work in films like Personal Shopper and Still Alice showcased a dramatic range far removed from Bella Swan’s emotional struggles.

Lautner, after initial attempts at action stardom, found a successful niche in television and comedy, opting for projects that embrace his public persona with a lighthearted touch, such as the new werewolf comedy series.

This divergence highlights their individual strategies: Stewart focused on artistic credibility, while Lautner prioritized projects that offer fun, self-aware entertainment for his audience.

5. The Ongoing ‘Bella Should Have Chosen Jacob’ Debate

Even years later, the central conflict of the Twilight series—Team Edward vs. Team Jacob—remains a cultural touchstone.

Taylor Lautner himself recently reignited the debate with a playful social media post in 2024, jokingly declaring that Bella Swan should have ultimately ended up with his character, Jacob Black.

This kind of good-natured engagement with the franchise's legacy is a hallmark of Lautner's current public image, showing a willingness to connect with fans on a nostalgic, humorous level.

While Stewart is often more reserved about revisiting the franchise, her respect for Lautner and the shared experience ensures that the debate remains a fun, harmless element of their joint history.

6. New Ventures: Podcasting and Producing

Beyond acting, both stars have expanded their influence into other media.

Taylor Lautner, alongside his wife Taylor Dome, hosts the popular podcast The Squeeze, where they discuss mental health and personal life, offering a candid look at the star's life outside of Hollywood.

Kristen Stewart, through her directorial and screenwriting efforts on The Chronology of Water, is taking on the role of producer, giving her creative control over the entire filmmaking process.

These new roles—podcast host and film producer—show a concerted effort by both actors to manage their own narratives and build lasting careers that are not solely dependent on acting roles.

7. The Unlikely Reunion: The Twilight Reboot Speculation

With the announcement of a new animated Twilight series in development, speculation about the original cast's involvement is inevitable.

While Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner are unlikely to return to their original roles due to their current career paths and the nature of the reboot, the possibility of a cameo or voice role is a hot topic.

Stewart's focus on directing and Lautner's commitment to his new Amazon series make a full-scale reunion highly improbable, but their willingness to joke about the past, particularly Lautner’s, keeps the door ajar for a fun, one-off appearance.

The truth is, both Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner have successfully navigated the treacherous waters of post-franchise life. They have emerged as mature, self-directed artists who have traded the iconic love triangle for personal fulfillment and creative control, proving that there is indeed life—and a very interesting one—after Twilight.