Chris Pine Lights Up THR’s Studio During Park City Appearance

Chris Pine is spending time at the Sundance Film Festival with a clear goal. He is there to introduce his new independent film, Carousel, which is making its first public showing at the festival. The movie does not yet have a distributor, and Sundance is a key place to find one.

Pine stars in the film and also helped produce it. He said the project stood out to him right away because it felt more personal than most scripts he is offered.

In an interview reported by The Associated Press, Pine explained why the story pulled him in. “My favorite word for this film is quotidian,” he said. “It’s a film in which nothing happens and yet everything happens.”

The movie is directed by Rachel Lambert and is set in Ohio. Pine plays a father trying to hold his life together while dealing with work problems, a painful divorce, and concern for his teenage daughter. His character’s past resurfaces when a former girlfriend, played by Jenny Slate, returns and the two reconnect.

Pine said he wanted to understand Lambert’s vision better before committing. After watching her earlier film, he decided to fully support the project. That support went beyond acting. He signed on as a producer and pushed for the film to be shot in the U.S. and on real film, something that is uncommon for smaller productions today.

Lambert told The Associated Press that Pine’s involvement helped protect the heart of the movie. She praised his focus and care on set. “There’s a rareness to him that I don’t see very often in performers,” she said.

While at Sundance, Pine has been attending events, speaking about the film, and helping introduce it to buyers and audiences. He also made time for a photoshoot at The Hollywood Reporter’s studio in Park City. Fans quickly reacted online, with many praising how good he looks and sharing photos from the appearance.

Chris Pine lookin’ FINE 🔥 at THR’s Studio in Park City pic.twitter.com/bRsSA3orwp

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

Sundance is known for supporting independent films, and both Pine and Lambert see it as the right place for Carousel to begin its life. The festival gives smaller stories a chance to be seen without the noise of big studio releases.

Chris Pine choosing to focus on a quiet, character-driven film says a lot about where he is in his career. He does not seem interested in playing it safe. Instead, he is backing a story that relies on emotion and realism rather than spectacle.

What do you think about Chris Pine taking on smaller projects like this? Do you like seeing major actors support independent films? Share your thoughts in the comments.