Taylor Lautner at the Los Angeles World Premiere of 'Valentine's Day' held at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre Hollywood, California (WENN.com)

Taylor Lautner has reportedly pulled out of playing crimefighter Max Steel - to devote himself to the upcoming Stretch Armstrong movie.

The hunky teen actor had signed up for both action roles but has now opted out of Max Steel, about a sports star-turned-secret agent, to focus on a new blockbuster based on a bendable action figure produced by toymakers Hasbro.

Lautner is believed to have dropped the part because toy manufacturer Mattel, which produces Max Steel figures, has not been as successful in Hollywood as Hasbro, responsible for the Transformers and G.I. Joe film franchises.

New York magazine reports, "(In) the weeks after signing on to play Steel, Lautner became increasingly convinced that Hasbro was playing its hand better than Mattel. Thanks to WME (Entertainment, Lautner's agency), Hasbro was moving with far greater speed through Hollywood's development maze than Mattel, not only setting up projects, but quickly moving them forward."

Bosses at Hasbro are also making plans for movies based on their popular Candy Land, Battleship and Risk games.