Jared Padalecki’s next rom-com quietly ditched its original title and the reason is actually pretty smart

The movie is now called 'Guarding Stars' to avoid confusion with Kevin Costner's 1992 romantic thriller
UPDATED JAN 12, 2026
Jared Padalecki attends the red carpet premiere of "Hollywood Grit" at The Grove on August 21, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Cover image credit: Getty Images |Photo by Robin L Marshall)
Jared Padalecki attends the red carpet premiere of "Hollywood Grit" at The Grove on August 21, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Cover image credit: Getty Images |Photo by Robin L Marshall)

Jared Padalecki's new film comes with a major title change. Originally titled 'The Bodyguard', the adaptation of Katherine Center's bestselling novel now has a different title. The movie is now called 'Guarding Stars' to avoid any confusion with Kevin Costner's 1992 romantic thriller titled 'The Bodyguard'.

The announcement was made on social media with Center announcing the change of title. "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," she explained.

The film will follow an action superstar (Padalecki), who is assigned a bodyguard (Leighton Meester). Things turn south when his bodyguard has to pretend to be his girlfriend. The film will be directed by Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum, based on a script from Erin Cardillo and Richard Keith. Genevieve Padalecki will join her husband as a producer.

Speaking to Tudum, "I began paying close attention to BookTok culture around the success of my last Netflix film, Purple Hearts,” said Allen. "The overwhelming enthusiasm on social media and with readers for Katherine Center’s novel was a major factor in my decision to come on board as director. It’s been amazing to work closely with Katherine so far and to see her so excited about moving her witty story about a no-nonsense bodyguard for an A-list actor into the holiday season. It makes the most gorgeous backdrop for the sparks that fly between them to be even brighter."

At the time of writing, there is no official release date for 'Guarding Stars'. Fans, in the meantime, will see him reunite with Jensen Ackles and Misha Collins in the hit Prime Video series, 'The Boys' season 5. Meester will also be seen in 'Basic', a comedy still in post-production, and is yet to zero in on a release date.

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