Overview
- Universal premiered the first trailer on Tuesday, Aug. 4, confirming David Harbour’s return as Santa and announcing Kristen Bell as an action-oriented Mrs. Claus.
- The studio’s official synopsis shows Santa put on the naughty list, stripped of his magic and forced to face a Jared Harris–led gangster inside a mall while he tries to rediscover the meaning of Christmas.
- Director Tommy Wirkola, writers Pat Casey and Josh Miller, and 87North producers David Leitch and Kelly McCormick all return, keeping the sequel aligned with the original film’s tone and stunt-driven action approach.
- Trailer footage and producer comments highlight grisly set pieces, including a cookie-cutter kill and an extended fight the filmmakers call a Sam Raimi tribute, and the sequel is rated R for strong bloody violence and language.
- The sequel builds on the 2022 film’s cult popularity and modest box office, teases more of Santa’s Viking mythos, and adds supporting players such as Joe Pantoliano, Daniela Melchior, Andrew Bachelor and Maxwell Jacob Friedman.