AceShowbiz - Jared Padalecki has officially completed filming his first feature film in 16 years with the new Netflix adaptation Guarding Stars. The actor shared the news on Instagram, posting a selfie from a snowy location while expressing gratitude to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where the movie was shot.

In his Instagram message, Padalecki warmly thanked the city for welcoming him, calling himself an "annoying Texan" and praising the people of Calgary as "incredible hosts." He also humorously requested “a little less snow next time,” acknowledging the beauty of the setting but admitting he was quite cold during the shoot.

The film Guarding Stars is based on Katherine Center’s 2022 New York Times bestselling novel The Bodyguard. The romantic comedy centers on a bodyguard, portrayed by Leighton Meester—famous for Gossip Girl—who is assigned to protect a high-profile celebrity played by Padalecki. The cast also features Andie MacDowell, Walker Hayes, Noah LaLonde, Toby Sandeman, Rachael Ancheril, Phil Brooks, and Ava Max.

This adaptation marks another in a string of Katherine Center novels being brought to the screen, following 2020’s The Lost Husband and 2021’s Happiness For Beginners. Center’s other works include The Bright Side of Disaster, Everyone is Beautiful, Get Lucky, How to Walk Away, Things You Save in a Fire, What You Wish For, Hello Stranger, and The Love Haters.

The film is directed by Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum, known for her work on Ginny & Georgia, with a screenplay by Erin Cardillo and Richard Keith. The producing team includes Padalecki, his wife Genevieve Padalecki, Robin Fisichella, Gina Matthews, and Grant Scharbo.

Padalecki has had a varied film career, with previous roles in movies such as New York Minute, Flight of the Phoenix, House of Wax, and the 2009 reboot of Friday the 13th. The latter was his last live-action film role until now, though he also provided the English voice for a character in the 2015 animated French film Phantom Boy.

While his big screen appearances have been sparse, Padalecki has had a successful television career, notably playing Dean Forester on Gilmore Girls and Sam Winchester on the long-running fantasy series Supernatural. The latter role earned him a People’s Choice Award for Favorite TV Bromance alongside Misha Collins, as well as a Teen Choice Award for Choice Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actor.

Following the conclusion of Supernatural in 2020, Padalecki stayed with The CW network, starring in the reboot of Walker, Texas Ranger titled Walker, which ran for four seasons. Looking ahead, he will appear in the final season of the Prime Video superhero series The Boys, set to premiere on April 8.

As of now, Netflix has not announced an official release date for Guarding Stars. Fans of Padalecki and romantic comedies alike will be eager to see his return to the big screen after a 16-year hiatus from live-action films.