What do you get for the person who already has everything at Christmas? Maybe a security professional. That’s exactly the premise of a new holiday romantic comedy starring Leighton Meester (Good Cop/Bad Cop, I Love LA, The Buccaneers) and Jared Padalecki (Supernatural, Walker).
The film follows a no-nonsense bodyguard who is assigned to protect a charming action star during the holiday season. As the two spend more time together, sparks begin to fly, secrets start to unravel and Christmas quickly becomes a lot more complicated.
Inspired by Katherine Center’s 2022 novel The Bodyguard, the movie will be adapted under a new, still-undecided title. It’s directed by Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum (Aquamarine, Purple Hearts, Ginny & Georgia), written by Erin Cardillo and Richard Keith (Isn’t It Romantic, Virgin River), and executive produced by Robin Fisichella. The cast also includes Andie MacDowell (Groundhog Day, Four Weddings and a Funeral), country artist Walker Hayes in his acting debut, Noah Lalonde (My Life with the Walter Boys), and Toby Sandeman (Running Point, Voicemails for Isabelle). The production team features Gina Matthews and Grant Scharbo of Little Engine Productions (Isn’t It Romantic, 13 Going on 30, Reminders of Him), along with Jared and Genevieve Padalecki for Living in the Asterisk.
Director Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum says she began watching BookTok closely after the success of her Netflix film Purple Hearts. “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,” she explains. “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.”
A release date hasn’t been announced yet, but fans are being invited to help name the movie. Meester, Padalecki, and Center are encouraging readers of the bestselling novel to participate in choosing a new title for the adaptation. Anyone interested can visit @itsmeleighton, @jaredpadalecki, and @katherinecenter on Instagram for details. Keep checking Tudum for updates on the project.
