This Christmas, Santa Claus is expanding his naughty list, and if someone’s rear end is on it, he’s kicking it twice. The new poster for Universal’s upcoming action comedyViolent Nightshows David Harbour as a Santa who’s all tapped out of Christmas spirit.Universal’sViolent Nightcenters around the house of a rich family that is engaged inSuccession-style infighting. On Christmas Eve, when Santa is delivering gifts to the house, something starts stirring, and it ain’t no mouse. A band of mercenaries break into the mansion to do some very naughty things, and Santa is simply not having it. He takes matters into his own normally cookie-filled hands and fights to repel the invaders and save Christmas for all.RELATED:10 Christmas Films That Definitely Do Not Have Holiday ThemesToday, audiences got their first glimpse of the movie.Violent Night’s official Twitter account released the movie’s poster, and it shows a no-nonsense Santa smoking a candy cane like a cigarette with blood smeared on his jolly old beard. Above, emblazoned in festive red, the poster reads, “YOU BETTER WATCH OUT.” The movie will be directed by Tommy Wirkola, best known for his 2009 filmDead Snowabout Nazi zombies in the snowy mountains of Norway, and written by Patrick Casey and Josh Miller, the team behindthe recentSonic the Hedgehogfilms. Appearing in supporting roles are John Leguizamo (Moulin Rouge!,Encanto), Beverly D’Angelo (National Lampoon’s Vacation), and Alex Hassell (The Boys,The Tragedy of Macbeth).
Harbour, who plays Santa, has until now largely landed supporting roles in major films likeBrokeback MountainandEnd of Watch. However, he more recently rose to fame as Sheriff Jim Hopper in theNetflix sci-fi seriesStranger Things.Violent Nightwill mark a big step for the actor in one of his first leading roles. Earlier this year Harbour introduced the movie at CinemaCon by saying, “You better not cry, you better not pout, I’m telling you why, because Santa Claus is coming to town. Let’s f—ing go!”
87North Productions and its founder David Leitch produce the film, following successes with their previous action filmsNobodyandBrad Pitt’sBullet Train. Furthermore,Violent Nightwill release in the first week of December with almost no other holiday films to compete with. All in all, things seem stacked in favor of the film, though it will undoubtedly be swamped by the release ofAvatar: The Way of Wateron December 16.
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