Arnold Schwarzenegger promised he’d be back, but this time, he’s trading in his action-hero persona for a jolly Santa Claus in his upcoming holiday film, The Man with the Bag.
Spotted on set in New York City, the action legend was seen donning a white beard and festive attire while filming the family-friendly adventure. In a post on social media, Schwarzenegger shared a sneak peek of his new role, saying, “Santa Claus is coming to town!” He added, “It’s fantastic to be shooting The Man with the Bag with @alanritchson. Our director @adamshankman is one of the funniest directors I’ve worked with, New York City is an amazing host, working with @amazonmgmstudios is a joy, and I can’t wait to share all of this Christmas cheer with each and every one of you.”
Ritchson, known for his role as Jack Reacher in Amazon Prime’s Reacher, stars alongside Schwarzenegger in this holiday caper. The film is directed by Adam Shankman, whose past work includes hits like Hairspray, The Wedding Planner, and A Walk to Remember.
The official plot description from Amazon reads: “When Santa’s magical bag is stolen, he turns to his naughty list to find Vance, a thief, to help him get it back. Along with his daughter, Santa, and a group of misfits, Vance must pull off the greatest heist of his life to save Christmas.”
Schwarzenegger, no stranger to holiday films, previously starred in Jingle All the Way (1996), where he played a father desperately trying to buy his son a coveted Turbo Man action figure for Christmas. The film became a seasonal favorite, filled with comedy and chaos as Schwarzenegger’s character faced off against another determined dad, played by Sinbad.
Though Jingle All the Way isn’t a holiday classic like Home Alone, it remains a staple in the holiday movie lineup. In 2014, a sequel, Jingle All the Way 2, starring Larry the Cable Guy, was released straight to DVD.
As for The Man with the Bag, a release date has yet to be announced, but with its festive premise and star-studded cast, it’s sure to bring some holiday cheer to viewers soon.
