Chris Pine Steals the Spotlight at THR’s Studio in Park City

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Chris Pine is at the Sundance Film Festival with his new movie, Carousel. The film is premiering at the festival and is seeking a distributor. Pine stars in and also produces the movie.

Chris Pine was attracted to the film Carousel because it stood out from the usual scripts he gets. He found it to be a subtle and emotionally resonant story. “I think ‘quotidian’ best describes this film,” Pine explained. “It’s a movie where seemingly nothing happens, but a lot is going on beneath the surface.”

I recently saw Carousel, a really intimate and moving film directed by Rachel Lambert. It’s set in Cleveland and focuses on Noah, played by Pine, who’s juggling a lot – a failing doctor’s office, a tough divorce, and a teenage daughter who’s clearly struggling. Just when things seem overwhelming, his old high school flame, brilliantly portrayed by Jenny Slate, shows up, and things get even more complicated – and interesting. It’s a small story, but it feels incredibly real and relatable.

Let me tell you, after chatting with Pine, he squeezed in a photoshoot with The Hollywood Reporter, and the internet has completely lost it – everyone is obsessed with how fantastic he looks. Seriously, the reaction has been wild!

Chris Pine lookin’ FINE 🔥 at THR’s Studio in Park City

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) January 24, 2026

Pine was drawn to the script and eager to learn more about the director, Lambert. After seeing her previous films, he committed to the project, not only as an actor but also as a producer. He did have one request: he wanted the movie filmed in the United States on actual film, a less common choice for independent productions these days.

Director Lambert shared with The Associated Press that Chris Pine was a significant asset to the project. She highlighted his positive on-set energy and how he championed her creative ideas. She described him as a uniquely talented performer, saying, “He has a rare quality I don’t often see.”

Chris Pine is at the Sundance Film Festival, where he’s showing his movie, answering questions about it, and helping the filmmakers find a company to distribute it. Sundance is a key event for independent films like Carousel, and Pine and director Lambert both believe it’s the perfect place to launch the movie.

Chris Pine’s appearance at Sundance signals a shift in his career. He’s choosing to champion a smaller, more personal film instead of solely pursuing large studio projects. This highlights that even famous actors can prioritize creative endeavors and back independent movies.

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2026-01-25 00:44