FROM HOLLYWOOD CRUSH: Just last week we marveled at the sheer number of projects "Twilight" star Taylor Lautner had in development, and perhaps he was starting to feel the pressure too. After dropping out of "Northern Lights" earlier this week, the 18-year-old has parted ways with another project, "Max Steel," based on the Mattel toy, reports New York magazine's Vulture blog.
Sources say it was his "Stretch Armstrong" collaboration with rival toy company Hasbro that was the impetus for Taylor's departure. According to Vulture, Taylor realized Hasbro was doing a better job with its movie properties than Mattel. To wit, the toy company has leveraged board games Candy Land, Battleship and Risk into high-profile projects and had earlier success with a couple small flicks called "G.I. Joe" and "Transformers." Added one source, "When you sign up to make a movie with Hasbro, you know it will be in theaters a year later."
Continue reading Taylor Lautner Drops Out Of 'Max Steel' For 'Stretch Armstrong'
When Hasbro and Universal struck a deal to turn toy and game properties into movies, I don't know that we ever thought it would go this far. "Transformers" and "G.I. Joe" made sense, as they had cartoons and comic books to make movies out of. Then came plans to turn board games like "Monopoly" and "Candyland" into movies -- plans that attracted talent like Ridley Scott. Now comes "Stretch Armstrong." According to 
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