Andie MacDowell, Jared Padalecki, & Leighton Meester to star in holiday rom-com filming in High River
Andie MacDowell, Jared Padalecki, and Leighton Meester are coming to High River to star in Netflix’s upcoming movie The Bodyguard.
The crew will be filming in town on Dec. 4, 5, and 6, and will be filming during the annual Santa Claus Parade on Dec. 5.
The Bodyguard is an original romantic-comedy directed by Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum (Ginny & Georgia). The film is based on Katherine Center’s novel of the same name which was published in 2022.
Santa Claus Parade organizer Ted Dawson said it’s going to be a fun evening.
“One of them is going to be singing on a float in the parade,” said Dawson, but he hasn’t confirmed which star it will be.
The film will be set in Montana, and Jared Padalecki will play the role of Jack Stapleton, a Hollywood heartthrob visiting his family’s ranch for the holidays. After being stalked, bodyguard Hannah Brooks (Leighton Meester) is assigned to Jack’s protection.
However, Jack doesn’t want his ailing mother to know about the stalker threatening him and asks Hannah to pose as his girlfriend.
It is not yet confirmed who Andie MacDowell will be playing in the film.
Dawson said that with the filming, the parade may look a little different this year.
Snow cannons will be set up by Snodgrass Funeral Home and the Museum of the Highwood.
There will also be road closures following the parade. Once the parade ends, the film crew will be wrapping around to do some additional filming.
Dawson said the closure will likely be on MacLeod Trail SW between 3 Avenue SW and 4 Avenue SW. On 1 Street SW, in front of the Museum of the Highwood, from 4 Avenue SW to 5 Avenue SW is also likely to see road closures.
“For folks if they’re wanting to get away from town, the best place to park would be along the old CPR right-of-way or in behind the United Church in the town parking lot for ease of exit,” said Dawson.
More details on road closures will be released ahead of the event.
Dawson said they’re still looking for volunteers and float registrations. If anyone is interested, they can sign up at highriverchristmas.ca.
