Katherine Center’s The Bodyguard is headed to the big screen, Deadline reports.
Center’s romantic comedy novel, published in 2022 by St. Martin’s, follows Hannah Brooks, a bodyguard assigned to protect movie star Jack Stapleton from a stalker on a visit to his family’s Texas ranch. A critic for Kirkus wrote of the book, “Center delivers another satisfying, romantic read with a swoonworthy hero and a delightful main character.”
Netflix is developing the film adaptation of the novel, which will star Leighton Meester (Gossip Girl), Jared Padalecki (Supernatural), Andie MacDowell (Four Weddings and a Funeral), Noah LaLonde (My Life With the Walter Boys), Toby Sandeman (The Royals), and singer-songwriter Walker Hayes, making his acting debut.
Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum (Aquamarine) will direct the film, which is being written by Erin Cardillo and Richard Keith (Virgin River).
Center’s novels have been adapted for the screen before. Her 2013 novel, The Lost Husband, formed the basis for a 2020 movie starring Leslie Bibb and Josh Duhamel, while her 2015 novel, Happiness For Beginners, was adapted into a 2023 film with Ellie Kemper and Luke Grimes.
Padalecki announced news of the adaptation on Instagram, writing, “This story has so much heart, and we can’t wait to bring Katherine Center’s The Bodyguard to the screen. Only catch? The title…is already very, VERY taken. So the whole team has been tossing around new ideas—and now we want to hear yours too. Drop your best title suggestions in the comments. Can’t wait to see what y’all come up with!”
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
