Photos: Taylor Lautner is buff and brooding for Rolling Stone

Rolling Stone magazine has a sexy, soaked and sand-covered response to Robert Pattinson's Vanity Fair spread -- a day in the surf with the insanely built Taylor Lautner.

Famed photographer Mark Seliger shot the 17-year-old, who plays a beefed-up Jacob Black in "The Twilight Saga: New Moon," in Malibu.

Howling hotness ensues, and in the magazine's cover story Lautner touches on his potential love interest (a fellow Taylor).

“Aside from being beautiful, she’s extremely funny, charismatic and fun to be around,” Lautner said of country crooner Taylor Swift.

So are they dating? Sly wolf Lautner simply responded, "Possibly."

The two costar in Garry Marshall's forthcoming ensemble pic "Valentine's Day" and have been seen on several dates since meeting on set.

Get more of Seliger's smokin' Taylor shots after the jump!

-- Matt Donnelly

Photo: Taylor goes the distance in "The Twilight Saga: New Moon," which nabbed the third-biggest domestic opening in box office history last weekend, with $140 million. Credit: Mark Seliger / Rolling Stone.

Shocking shock! 'New Moon' is mightier than 'Dark Knight'!

Any "Twilight" fans surprised? Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner have taken away the one-day box-office crown previously held by Heath Ledger and Christian Bale in "The Dark Knight."

"The Twilight Saga: New Moon" sold $72.7 million worth of tickets Friday in the U.S. and Canada --  smashing "Dark Knight's" $67.2-million one-day sales record, Company Town reported.

The three-day total is $140.7 million, meaning "New Moon" just racked up the No. 3 domestic opening weekend of all time.  

But is the power of "Twilight" limitless? There was a massive drop-off in ticket sales between Friday and Saturday, which indicates that a lot of fans absolutely, positively had to see it as soon as possible. Saturday, not so much.

Still, the folks over at Ski Channel alleged Friday that the "sexual energy" of Lautner, Stewart and Pattinson in "New Moon" was enough to move people off the mountains -- the ski resort mountains -- and into theaters over the weekend.

They were totally making that up, but this link is funny anyway.

-- Christie D'Zurilla

Photo: Robert Pattinson looked pretty dang happy at the "New Moon" premiere in Westwood last week -- wonder how happy he is now? Credit: Chris Pizzello / Associated Press

About that epic Edward versus Jacob battle? We have a winner!

Usually, the heart is the only metric that matters when it comes to the choice of Team Edward or Team Jacob. Turns out someone finally measured "The Twilight Saga" face-off in social media standing.

Just in time for tonight's release of "New Moon,"  social media tracker Fizziolo.gy has calculated where the masses stand on the "Twilight" divide  -- reading sentiment, frequency and popularity  of the film and its stars Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner over the past seven weeks.

Here's where it (predictably) stands: The world loves Edward Cullen, but it's not a landslide.

In the character breakdown, Fizziolo.gy says the pale-skinned heartthrob Edward beat Jacob for mentions across platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and MySpace 58% to 42%.

Given Lautner's beefed-up role and body for the sequel, however, their numbers show the general discussions between he and Pattinson as no contest -- young Taylor claims 61% of real-time comments and threads to Pattinson's 39%.

But what happens when you combine mentions of the character and actor?

Kellan Lutz shows Ellen DeGeneres what he's made of — will Robert Pattinson?

Kellan Lutz, a.k.a. "The Twilight Saga's" Emmett Cullen, is charming and adorable and blond on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" this afternoon. Of course he's kidding when he tells Ellen he almost couldn't get into the "Twilight" after-party — but we really hope the Burke Williams guys-bonding-in-the-spa story is true.

And who else does Ellen have on tap for this week? None other than Robert Pattinson, whose episode was taped the same day as Kellan's but won't air until this Friday, when "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" opens in theaters.

Gossip Cop has early details from the taping, including who might've taken off their clothes — and why. Yes, cash is involved.

We're not going to spoil things, but let's just say Ellen's money is well spent.

(This message has been brought to you by the Ministry's Division of Gratuitous Beefcake and Cheesecake.)

— Christie D'Zurilla

Click here for additional posts from the Division of Gratuitous Beefcake and Cheesecake.

Related dispatches from the Ministry of Gossip's temporary Office of Neverending Twilight: 

'Twilight: New Moon' rises in L.A.: red carpet in Westwood

Taylor Lautner brings a slice of 'New Moon' to Jay Leno

Image: Oh, that seductive 'Twilight' merchandise

Robert Pattinson finds 'Twilight' hoopla 'a little frightening'

Taylor Lautner confirmed for 'Jay Leno' show before 'New Moon' premiere

Taylor Lautner grew up under a 'New Moon,' Kristen Stewart says

Photo: Kellan Lutz as non-blond Emmett Cullen in "The Twilight Saga: New Moon." Credit: Peter Sorel / Summit Entertainment.

Stars sink their teeth into 'New Moon' cupcakes

As if an abundance of individual hotness and international fame wasn't enough of a draw to lure the cast members of "The Twilight Saga" to the "New Moon" L.A. premiere after party, they had an added sweet incentive: custom cupcakes.

Crumbs Bake Shop provided special desserts inside the fete, which, word has it, sported the decor of a Volturi-style Italian lair with a timber wolf petting zoo to further gratify the hot young things, including Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart.

The chocolate confections, with vanilla frosting and bat-shaped sprinkles, came topped with full red lips and scary sweet fangs -- perhaps a nod to coveted kiss of Edward Cullen?

-- Matt Donnelly

Photo credit: Crumbs Bakery

Related dispatches approved by the Ministry of Gossip's Division of Neverending Twilight:

'Twilight: New Moon' rises in L.A.: red carpet in Westwood

Taylor Lautner brings a slice of 'New Moon' to Jay Leno

Image: Oh, that seductive 'Twilight' merchandise

Robert Pattinson finds 'Twilight' hoopla 'a little frightening'

Taylor Lautner confirmed for 'Jay Leno' show before 'New Moon' premiere

Taylor Lautner grew up under a 'New Moon,' Kristen Stewart says

EXCLUSIVE: BooBoo Stewart on his 'New Moon' premiere night

BooBoo Stewart, the youngest member of the "Twilight" saga's wolf pack, doesn't make his official debut until the franchise's third film, "Eclipse," but he got his first taste of vampire magic at Monday night's "New Moon" premiere.

"You've never seen anything like it," he tells the Ministry of Gossip exclusively. "The fans were screaming, it was awesome."

Stewart (not to be confused with lead Kristen) and his sister Fivel prepped with a private hair session at West Hollywood's Parlour on 3rd, where they lifted his locks into a dapper coif -- rivaling the volume of that belonging to one Robert Pattinson.

"The second we left the salon, there were paparazzi everywhere," Stewart said.

From the salon, the duo hit the red carpet for more than two hours with the media, where naturally he was hounded about his personal life.

"Everyone asked if I had a girlfriend, but I always answer 'No,' because I don't."

Breathe a collective sigh of relief, fans.

After the onslaught, Boo Boo sat down to see "Twilight: New Moon" for the first time. And what did he think?

Taylor Lautner brings a slice of 'New Moon' to Jay Leno

Take it from Taylor Lautner: One of the biggest dangers a teen werewolf can face is, well, a middle-aged cougar.

"Our 'Twilight' moms are -- passionate," Taylor delicately told Jay Leno on a show that was taped Monday before the "New Moon" premiere in Westwood -- and Lautner's grandma was among those in Leno's audience.

Zap2It.com has all the shaking, shimmying, panty-promoting details of how one fortysomething fan expressed her passion. Young Taylor, it seems, has been proffered panties.

Mommy panties.

To us, those sound a lot like granny panties that have managed to convince themselves they're still string bikinis. 

The interview and related links are after the jump.

-- Christie D'Zurilla

Related "Twilight" and Taylor Lautner dispatches from the Ministry of Gossip:

'Twilight: New Moon' rises in L.A.: red carpet in Westwood

When Taylor met Taylor: How can they tell each other apart?

Robert Pattinson finds 'Twilight' hoopla 'a little frightening'

Taylor Lautner confirmed for 'Jay Leno' show before 'New Moon' premiere

Taylor Lautner grew up under a 'New Moon,' Kristen Stewart says

'Twilight: New Moon' rises in L.A.: red carpet in Westwood

A little-known group of actors from a lesser-known sequel called "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" descended on Los Angeles on Monday evening.

With fandemonium totally out of hand, Stephenie Meyer's beloved vampire franchise adaptation has finally hit the U.S. with the premiere of the highly anticipated sequel starring Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner.

Click onward for arrival photos of more of your favorite "Twilight" stars! Watch for Dr. Carlisle Cullen (Peter Facinelli) and his real-life bride Jennie Garth, Kellan Lutz, Alex Meraz, Cameron Bright, Nikki Reed, Anna Kendrick and more!

-- Matt Donnelly and Christie D'Zurilla

Photo: Robert Pattinson, above, signs autographs as he arrives at "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" premiere in Westwood on Monday. Credit: Matt Sayles / Associated Press

Power to the people: Team effort for 'Twilight' in People's Choice nominations

"Twilight: New Moon" actors Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner have been nominated for a People's Choice Award in the "on-screen team" category.

Team "Twilight" will face off against Team "Harry Potter," Team "X-Men," Team "Transformers" and Team "The Proposal."

Wait, "The Proposal"? Really? OK, fine.

Seems even the chick-flick people were allowed to vote on the People's Choice nominations. 

The Circuit has the full list of nominees, including those completely unrelated to vampires or their BFFs. The show will be broadcast Jan. 6.

-- Christie D'Zurilla

Photo: Robert Pattinson, left, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner posed today in Paris. What a team. Credit: Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images

Related "Twilight" dispatches from the Ministry of Gossip:

When Taylor met Taylor: How can they tell each other apart?

Robert Pattinson finds 'Twilight' hoopla 'a little frightening'

Taylor Lautner confirmed for 'Jay Leno' show before 'New Moon' premiere

Taylor Lautner grew up under a 'New Moon,' Kristen Stewart says

'Twilight' girl Christian Serratos gets naked for PETA ad

Christian Serratos, who plays Bella's pal Angela in the "Twilight" series of films, has bared  her own moon to pose naked for PETA's "I'd Rather Be Naked Than Wear Fur" ad campaign.

Previous celebs in the anti-fur campaign include Khloe Kardashian, Steve-O, Amanda Beard, Nia Long and Jamie Bamber of "Battlestar Galactica."

MTV, HuffPo and others have the ad pictured -- but keep in mind that although this ad is suitable for glossy fashion mags and the like, it might make your computer monitor sizzle just a bit too much for work. Serratos  posed for the group's (non-naked) "Save the Seals" campaign as well.

Vampires bite people and suck out their blood, right? Just checking. And that usually results in dead people?

Seems "Twilight" has been a favorite of PETA for awhile, or at least a darling of PETA 2, the youth branch of the meat-is-murder animal-rights organization. In February, "Twilight" was given a 2008 Libby Award for most animal-friendly movie. 

We did a bit of searching as we tried to reconcile how a vampire movie could be considered "animal-friendly." (We tend to be a bit retro and lump humans in the "animal" camp when it comes to things like being bitten and sucked dry of blood.)

Turns out Bella (Kristen Stewart) is a vegetarian who gives her dad what-for when he orders a steak. 

We notice that Sour Patch Kids were also on the Libby Award winners list as the best vegan candy. We get it now -- eating animals bad; eating people, kinda OK. 

Peep the catchy video after the jump if you have an urgent need for an animal-friendly vampire-bite technique. Helpful for those making "Twilight" parodies at home, we're told.

-- Christie D'Zurilla

Photo: Christian Serratos wears clothes but no fur to the L.A. premiere of the movie "Fame" in September. Credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images.