Arnold Schwarzenegger is getting into the Christmas spirit by playing Santa Claus in a new holiday film.
Schwarzenegger, 77, will star opposite Alan Ritchson in the forthcoming action comedy, “The Man with the Bag,” which sees the “Reacher” actor take on the role of a petty criminal.
The film, which is currently in production, is directed by Adam Shankman and produced by Amazon MGM Studios.
“When Santa’s magic bag is stolen, he turns to his naughty list to find Vance, a former thief, to help him get it back,” the film’s official logline reads. “Along with his daughter, Santa, and a group of misfit elves, Vance will have to pull off the greatest heist of his life to save Christmas.”
On Tuesday, Schwarzenegger gave fans a sneak peek of his transformation into Jolly Old Saint Nick, posting a photo on Instagram featuring himself and his co-star on set.
“It is fantastic to be shooting The Man with the Bag with @alanritchson,” he wrote. “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.”
Schwarzenegger’s announcement triggered an outpouring of messages in the comment section, with the official Instagram account for Amazon’s Prime Video noting that “Christmas came early.”
“Our favorite new duo,” wrote Amazon MGM Studios. “What an amazing duo,” seconded model Sergi Constance.
Max Shishkin, director of “The Last Ronin” commented, “Okay, now I’m starting [to] believe in Santa.”
Favorite Christmas Movie
“The Man with the Bag” isn’t Schwarzenegger’s first holiday film. The actor previously starred in “Jingle All the Way” alongside actors Sinbad and Rita Wilson.Schwarzenegger plays the workaholic father, Howard Langston, in the family comedy. Langston desperately tries to reconnect with his son, Jamie, by setting out on Christmas Eve to buy him a coveted action toy, dubbed the Turbo-Man.
“The Christmas movie, ‘Jingle All the Way,’ was one of those great scripts that was offered to me, and I thought the world of it,” Schwarzenegger told the publication.
“So there was action there, but very comedic action and [it was] very touching also,” he continued. “I just had a great time doing that.
“And it is still today the favorite Christmas movie that people are playing. Every single December this movie’s being played on television, and overseas also did extremely well.”
“The Man with the Bag” is the first major film that Schwarzenegger has starred in since he reprised his role as the titular cyborg in “Terminator: Dark Fate,” which hit theaters in November 2019.
The film is the sixth installment in the “Terminator” franchise, following “The Terminator” (1984), “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” (1991), “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines” (2003), “Terminator Salvation” (2009), and “Terminator Genisys” (2015).
More recently, the former governor of California voiced characters in the animated television shows “Secret Level” and “Superhero Kindergarten.”
He also starred in the 2023 Netflix series “FUBAR,” portraying a CIA operative on the cusp of retirement who finds himself forced back into action after discovering a family secret. The series was renewed for a second season last year.
