Jared Padalecki’s Netflix Film Renames to Avoid Conflict with Kevin Costner’s Thriller

Jared Padalecki’s New Movie: A Fresh Start with a New Title

Jared Padalecki is making a significant move in his career, preparing to star in his first movie in over a decade. However, this new project comes with a twist — the film will have a different name than the original novel it’s based on. The news was first reported in September 2025, revealing that the Supernatural star would be making his Netflix debut with an adaptation of Katherine Center’s bestselling book The Bodyguard. The film will also feature Gossip Girl star Leighton Meester in a leading role.

Despite the excitement surrounding the project, there was a concern about the title. The original novel’s name could potentially cause confusion with Kevin Costner’s 1992 romantic thriller The Bodyguard. To avoid any mix-up, Netflix has decided to rename the film. On Instagram, Center shared the new title, Guarding Stars, explaining that “we had to change the title because there already is a movie called The Bodyguard. That’s already iconic, and this movie needs to be iconic in its own way.”

A New Title for a New Story

The officially titled Guarding Stars will follow an action star (played by Padalecki) who is assigned a bodyguard (Meester). As the story unfolds, complications arise during the holidays when the bodyguard must pretend to be his girlfriend to ease concerns from his family. The film will be directed by Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum, with the script written by Erin Cardillo and Richard Keith. Genevieve Padalecki, Jared’s wife, will also serve as a producer.

The Bodyguard, published in 2022, quickly became a New York Times bestseller. It marks the third book by Katherine Center to be adapted into a film, following The Lost Husband and Happiness For Beginners. The upcoming Netflix adaptation is highly anticipated by fans of both Padalecki and Meester, who have strong roots in television.

A New Chapter for Jared Padalecki

For Padalecki, this project represents a major milestone. It will be his first on-screen movie role in nearly 16 years, since he starred in 2009’s Friday the 13th. His last official movie was the English dubbing for Phantom Boy. During this time, Padalecki remained busy with his long-running series Supernatural, where he played Sam Winchester from 2005 to 2020.

On the other hand, Meester’s career has taken a more subdued path after her role on Gossip Girl. She has appeared in series such as The Buccaneers, Nobody Wants This, and Good Cop/Bad Cop. Despite this, she continues to build her portfolio with new projects.

What’s Next for the Cast?

Currently, Guarding Stars does not have a release date on Netflix. While it may take some time before the film hits the streaming platform, Padalecki will be reuniting with Jensen Ackles and Misha Collins in The Boys season 5, which is set for release this year. Meanwhile, Meester’s new comedy, Basic, is in post-production but does not yet have a scheduled release date.

This new venture for Padalecki and Meester is sure to generate excitement among fans, offering a fresh opportunity for both actors to explore new creative directions. With an intriguing storyline and a fresh title, Guarding Stars promises to be a standout addition to Netflix’s growing library of original content.