Merry Christmas, ya filthy animals!” So declares David Harbour, the star of the holiday action-comedy film franchise with the much-anticipated sequel, Violent Night 2, officially confirmed to be on the way. Taking to Instagram, Harbour shared a cheerful image of himself donning a Santa hat and next to what can be assumed is the real Santa Claus, excitedly holding the script marked Violent Night 2. This reveals not only the status of the film but also hints at the actor's eagerness to return for more blood-splattered Christmas action.
The first installment, released during the 2022 holiday season, introduced audiences to Harbour's violent version of Santa Claus—a far cry from the traditional jolly Claus. Directed by Tommy Wirkola, Violent Night saw the beloved figure battling mercenaries who took control of a wealthy family's home on Christmas Eve, turning holiday cheer on its head. Alongside Harbour, the film features notable talents like John Leguizamo, Beverly D'Angelo, Alex Hassell, and others, providing viewers with a unique blend of comedy and action, reminiscent of classic holiday films like Die Hard and Lethal Weapon.
Since the release of the first film, interest has sparked around its sequel. Various conversations about the potential direction of Violent Night 2 have surfaced, with Harbour mentioning ideas for including Mrs. Claus, even playfully proposing Charlize Theron for the role. Director Tommy Wirkola shared similar sentiments, indicating plans to explore not just Mrs. Claus but also the North Pole and perhaps some elves, all of which could add delightful depth to the sequel's narrative.
Producer Kelly McCormick has confirmed the excitement surrounding the sequel. By December 2022, plans were already underway, showing the film's potential to resonate with its audience. The official announcement for the sequel's development came early in January 2023, exciting fans and allowing for discussions about its plot and cast to gain momentum.
The project is expected to begin filming around early 2025, contingent on schedules of the cast and crew. Harbour's recent Instagram update signals progress on the script and growing anticipation within the film community. His unique portrayal of Santa Claus, termed “Nikamund the Red” from the original film's backstory, hints at even crazier storylines for the sequel, much to the delight of fans.
“We’re all hoping we get lots of sequels. We hope we can baby step...” said the writers, expressing their eagerness to expand on Santa’s violent origins, which were only briefly mentioned in the first film. The writers noted audience reactions on social media have also fueled interest, as many viewers voiced hopes to learn more about Santa’s story.
With many distinct characters and story arcs to explore, the sequel promises to stretch concepts introduced previously, maintaining audiences' curiosity about Santa's background. While plot details have yet to be unveiled, the production team has already hinted at potentially more blood-curdling tales to come this holiday season.
All eyes are on Harbour as he juggles multiple major projects alongside his return as Santa. Beyond Violent Night 2, he is set to appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Thunderbolts, and the highly anticipated final season of Stranger Things. He is even making his debut with the DC Universe as he takes on the role of Eric Frankenstein in Creature Commandos.
Fans of the franchise are just as eager as Harbour to see this not-so-jolly Santa return, armed to the teeth and ready for more raucous action as Christmas approaches. An official release date and additional casting announcements are expected to be disclosed later as production ramps up. The excitement surrounding Violent Night 2 keeps building, promising yet another unconventional festive adventure for moviegoers this upcoming holiday season.