'Oh, no, no, no': Mitt Romney closes the door on possible third run for president as he enjoys big night out with wife Ann at premiere of documentary 'MITT' 

By ASSOCIATED PRESS and DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Published: 18:29 EST, 18 January 2014 | Updated: 11:21 EST, 19 January 2014

In an interview with the New York Times published Saturday, Mitt Romney, the subject of a new documentary, has categorically rejected the idea of running for president for a third time.

‘Oh, no, no, no. No, no, no, no, no. No, no, no,’ Romney told the paper. ‘People are always gracious and say, “Oh, you should run again.” I’m not running again.’

Romney reflected on his 2012 campaign and weighed in on the future of the Republican Party after attending a premiere of the Netflix original documentary 'MITT' about his life with wife Ann in Salt Lake City Friday night.

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Director Greg Whitely (L) and Mitt Romney (R) pose for a fun picture by a 'Mitt' movie poster before the premiere of 'Mitt' during the 2014 Sundance Film Festival in Salt Lake City on Friday

Mitt (C) and Ann Romney, along with their granddaughter Allie Romney, (R), arrives for the premiere of 'Mitt'

Looking back on the lead-up to the presidential election, the former Massachusetts governor called the race a 'fabulous thing to experience' and had kind words for his team of aides and advisers.

Romney added that in his opinion, Republicans like Chris Christie, Paul Ryan, Jeb Bush and Scott Walker have a better chance of taking the country in a different direction than he does.

'I will support one of them as they become the nominee,' he promised.

The two-time presidential hopeful also weighed in on the New Jersey governor's recent bridge-closing scandal, telling the Times that in his opinion, Christie’s problems are now behind him and are not likely to hurt his chances in 2016.

‘He took responsibility, he fired people who had let him down, and I think people will look back on this as being an example of how you handle something like this effectively,’ Romney said.

Romney added that while he has no plans to throw his hat into the ring again, he will remain active in the Republican Party by lending support to and campaigning for candidates.

'MITT,' directed by Greg Whiteley, premiered as this year's Salt Lake Gala film, as part of the famed Sundance Film Festival. The documentary chronicles Mr Romney's life for six years, including his 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns.

The premiere was a success and sold out two back-to-back screenings, Deseret News reports. Audience members includes Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, Gov. Gary Herbert, members of the Utah legislature -- along with Mr Romney's family, including wife Ann.

Maintaining an air of mystery, the star himself declined to offer his opinion of the film, even with Mr Whiteley.

'If he hated it, I don't know if he's going to tell me,' director Whiteley said. 'He's nice and he and [his wife] Ann are gracious. I wonder what they really think.'

Mr Romney did say, however, that would have likely turned down the project, featuring unprecendented access, had it been pitched by Michael Moore, Deseret News reports.

'I wondered about having a photographer following us,' he said, the paper continues. 'Obviously we wouldn't do this for just anybody.'

Mitt and Ann Romney along with their granddaughter Allie Romney, right, talks to the press before the premiere of 'Mitt.' After the screening, Romney declined to offer his opinion of the film

Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos (L) and US director Greg Whiteley (R) arrive for the premiere of 'Mitt.' The film is to be available for digital streaming on Netflix later this month

Whiteley said the Sundance Film Festival premiere Friday was the Romneys' first look at the film, which will debut on Netflix on Jan. 24.

Mr Romney and his wife are also expected to make another appearance at the Saturday premiere in Park City, Utah.

Whiteley said was both thrilled to have 'MITT' premiere at Sundance - which he compared to Yankee Stadium or the MET for a documentary filmmaker - as well as its Netflix premiere next week.

Whiteley said that he hoped to 'capitalize on all this great media that were getting now' with the film's worldwide premiere.

Through a meeting with Romney's eldest son, Tagg Romney, Whiteley pitched the documentary idea and he 'thought it was great.'

Romney's campaign officials were made nervous by Whiteley's unfettered access - but the family went along with it anyway.

Whiteley's film attempts to show Mr Romney's inner moments and personality.

'What we forget is we need to connect with these people,' Whiteley said. 'They're human beings, and that gets lost in all of this.'

In 'MITT,' Mr Romney is shown shown playing in the snow with his grandkids, eating pasta from a plastic takeout container, and brainstorming with his family about what to say in a concession speech.

Whitely said there was no plan to make Mr Romney be likable on screen.

'I had no agenda in trying to make him look good,' Whiteley said. 'I had no agenda in trying to convince people to vote for him.'

He describes the film as 'very apolitical.'

'I really saw my job as to just shut up, film everything I can, and when I'm editing this footage, just try and find a balance between just being as honest and authentic and as entertaining as I possibly can.'

The Sundance Film Festival continues through January 26.

The look of love? Mitt (C) looks over at wife Ann (L), while the couple attends the movie premiere with granddaughter Allie Romney (R)