Taylor Lautner Will Star in and Produce Gus Van Sant Film

Even though his first film outside the “Twilight” universe, “Abduction,” was panned by critics, Taylor Lautner remains one of Hollywood's hottest commodities at the moment. He is so hot he actually gets to work with the likes of Gus Van Sant.

Van Sant directed the Oscar-winning “Milk” with Sean Penn and James Franco, and next, he will direct a small independent movie that Taylor will produce and star in, AceShowbiz reports.

The young actor, who got his big break on the first “Twilight” film only a few years ago, has long said he had plans to try his hand at producing, and it seems that this project is just the one to give him this chance.

“Taylor Lautner will expand his career to the independent film industry. The actor is finalizing a deal to star in and produce an indie pic that will be directed by 'Milk' helmer Gus Van Sant,” the e-zine reports.

“The small-budget film project is based on a nonfiction article in The New Yorker magazine that Taylor has optioned. Further details about the project remain scarce, but sources said there will be an announcement made this week about who will write the script,” adds the same publication.

“The untitled Taylor Lautner nonfiction project is expected to start filming in the first quarter of 2012. 19-year-old Taylor will serve as the producer along with his father Dan Lautner,” AceShowbiz says.

In the meantime, fans will see Lautner next in “Breaking Dawn Part 1,” the fourth installment in the “Twilight” franchise.

He will, of course, reprise his role as werewolf Jacob Black, getting ready to face new challenges as the woman of his dreams, Bella (Kristen Stewart), finally ties the knot with her vampire lover Edward (Robert Pattinson).

Based on the first half of the original novel of the same name by Stephenie Meyer, “Breaking Dawn Part 1” comes out in theaters worldwide on November 18, 2011.

“Part 1” and officially the last installment is out next year.