Big stars likely at Sundance

Sundance Film Festival officials continue to tout that "it's the films, not the stars" that make the event

Ironically, Sundance's possibly biggest star — head honcho Robert Redford — is one of those toeing that line. And as in keeping with tradition, Redford is expected to be there when the 2010 Sundance Film Festival kicks off Jan. 21 in Park City.

But the latest premier showcase for independent and world cinema may also boast guest appearances by actors Ben Affleck, Adrien Brody, Kevin Costner, Chace Crawford, Robert Duvall, Dakota Fanning, Tommy Lee Jones, Bill Murray, Kristen Stewart and Kiefer Sutherland, as well as rapper Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, comedian Louis C.K. and former NBA star Reggie Miller.

All of those celebrities were either featured in or were involved in the production of movies that will be featured in next year's event, which runs Jan. 21-31 in a variety of Park City and Salt Lake City locations.)

Sundance announced its premieres and noncompetition features, which include the New Frontier, Next, Spotlight and Park City at Midnight categories, on Thursday. Among the highlights:

Duvall and Murray are the stars of the folk tale "Get Low," which will be the featured attraction of the festival's Salt Lake Gala Jan. 22 at the Rose Wagner Center.

Brody appears in both the drug comedy "HIGH school" and the science-fiction thriller "Splice."

"The Twilight Saga: New Moon" co-stars Stewart and Fanning are featured in the musical drama "The Runaways."

Mark Lewis' 3D documentary "Cane Toads: The Conquest" looks at an environmental catastrophe in Australia.

Affleck, Costner and Jones are all trying to survive corporate downsizing in the drama "The Company Men."

Louis Szekely (aka Louis C.K., from TV's "Parks and Recreation") is a one-man show in the comedy concert documentary "Louis C.K.: Hilarious," which he also directed.

Former Indiana Pacers shooting guard Miller is profiled in the documentary "Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. The NY Knicks."

Television stars Crawford ("Gossip Girl") and Sutherland ("24") and rapper-turned actor Jackson are part of the ensemble cast of the dramatic thriller "Twelve," which was directed by Joel Schumacher. That film will be featured in closing night festivities in Park City Jan. 31. (That event will be hosted by either the Eccles Center or the Egyptian Theater.)