Christmas has come early this year as we have been given the ultimate gift of hearing Arnold Schwarzenegger will star in a role he was meant to play: Santa Claus. Our white-bearded action hero/fitness mentor is returning to the screen to star in The Man With the Bag, which centers on Santa Claus learning that his magic bag has been swiped, leading Old St. Nick to team up with Vance, man of the naughty list, to get it back. The duo also enlist Vance’s daughter and a team of misfit elves to help them save Christmas.
Schwarzenegger, who is no stranger to Santa’s life-style (giving Christmas presents away yearly to children at the Miracle on 1st Street event and rocking a white beard), will star alongside Alan Ritchson (Jack Reacher). The Man With the Bag will be directed by Adam Shankman (A Walk to Remember, Rock of Ages) and written by Allan Rice.
It’s been far too long since we’ve seen Arnold star in a Christmas movie. Now we will have both Jingle All the Way and The Man with the Bag to watch every year going forward for our annual Christmas traditions. It is speculated that Arnold will film for his Santa role later this year after FUBAR Season 2. Look for The Man With the Bag for a 2025 release by Amazon MGM.