Taylor Lautner not returning as Sharkboy in Netflix's We Can Be Heroes

18 November 2020, 17:36

We Can Be Heroes starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas & Pedro Pascal - Netflix Official Teaser

By Katie Louise Smith

Sharkboy and Lavagirl are BACK... but Taylor Lautner is not.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that the iconic duo Sharkboy and Lavagirl would be returning as adults in a new Netflix film. And now, the first look has officially arrived.

Back in July, writer and director Robert Rodriguez revealed he was working on a new movie called We Can Be Heroes that would see the daughter of Sharkboy and Lavagirl join forces with other superhero children to save the world after their parents are kidnapped.

Taylor Dooley, who originally played Lavagirl, is reprising her role – and she looks incredible in the first look photos. But it's sad news for fans hoping to see grown up Taylor Lautner back as the dad version of Sharkboy... It looks like he will not be returning.

Why is Taylor Lautner not playing Sharkboy in We Can Be Heroes?

Per Netflix, Sharkboy will be played by stunt actor JJ Dashnaw, who has worked with Rodriguez on multiple projects.

As disappointing as it may be to some fans to not see Taylor Lautner back in action, it sounds like their appearance in the film is only a cameo. According to Collider, Rodriguez revealed in an interview that only Lavagirl has a speaking role.

It's currently unclear why Lautner didn't reprise his role. Maybe he was busy? Maybe he wasn't available for filming? Or maybe he just...didn't want to?

Either way, fans have been reacting to the recasting news on Twitter.

As for who will be playing Sharkboy and Lavagirl's daughter? Vivien Lyra Blair, who you'll know and love as the iconic Girl from Bird Box, will be playing Guppy, their six-year-old who has both shark and lava powers.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Christian Slater and Pedro Pascal also star in the film.

We Can Be Heroes is released on Netflix on January 1st 2021.