Brace yourself, Twihards: America's hottest werewolf is going rogue! Taylor Lautner, aka Twilight's Jacob Black, is heading in a decidedly different direction for his next film project. The 19-year-old Lautner is teaming up with respected director Gus Van Sant for a new independent film. And no, there's no word yet on the movie's title or plot. Apparently it's based on an article that appeared in The New Yorker, though, so there's that.

Now, given that Lautner's turn as an action hero the recent thriller Abduction really didn't work out so well (reviews were terrible, with many critics panning Lautner's deadpan performance), is this the right way to go for him, career-wise? As they say in Tinsel Town (and everywhere else for that matter), strike while the iron is hot: Lautner is red hot, thanks to the Twilight franchise, so perhaps it's best that he picks the plum roles while they're being offered. Gus Van Sant is a winner (rent Milk if you haven't seen it and tell me I'm wrong). Starring in a great indie film can earn a young actor some serious career cred. Good move, Taylor. Goooood move.

Okay, now answer this: Can Taylor Lautner make a successful transition from America's super-buff tween dreamboat to serious, independent movie star? It's certainly not unheard of in Hollywood to go from teen idol to indie darling. In fact, both of Lautner's Twilight co-stars have done it, with some success: Kristen Stewart did it with 2010's Welcome to the Rileys and The Runaways, as well as 2009's Adventureland (among others).  Robert Pattinson is starring in the upcoming Bel Ami. Both are branching out from Forks, so to speak.

Lautner's decision to star in, and produce, an indie movie doesn't seem so far-fetched, after all. Welcome to the post-Twilight world, Jacob.