David Harbour’s Highly-Anticipated Action Sequel Gets a Surprising Update

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In 2022, director Tommy Wirkola’s movie “Violent Night” surprised everyone by becoming a popular holiday choice with its unique mix of Christmas spirit and adult-oriented action. Starring David Harbour as a weary Santa Claus, the film rapidly gained a devoted fanbase and earned the title of a new cult favorite for its chaotic genre-blending violence. The news of a sequel came swiftly, but progress on “Violent Night 2” has been slow, leaving fans eager for updates. Recently, Universal Pictures announced that the sequel will hit theaters during the holiday season in 2026. Now, we have the biggest update yet! At the Tampa Bay Comic-Con, hosted by Collider, Harbour confirmed that production on “Violent Night 2” is about to start, giving fans hope it’s still on schedule for release.

In four weeks, Harbour confirmed at the convention that he’s working on the follow-up to “Violent Night.” This development means the movie is now in full-scale production. The cameras are expected to start rolling by late August, and fans can look forward to regular updates. During this period, we might see casting announcements, set photos, and more plot details, all of which will generate excitement about Santa’s next action-packed Christmas story.

After the significant success of “Violent Night” at the box office, earning over $76 million on a budget of just $20 million, plans for “Violent Night 2” were put on hold due to the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes that halted production in Hollywood. Once these strikes ended, the project encountered challenges with David Harbour’s busy schedule. He was already engaged in filming the final season of Netflix’s “Stranger Things” and his role as the Red Guardian in Marvel Studios’ critically praised “Thunderbolts.” Now that these extensive projects are mostly finished, Harbour’s schedule has finally opened up, enabling him to wear the red Santa Claus suit once more.

What We Know About Violent Night 2

In the sequel to the hit movie “Violent Night”, the original creative crew is coming back on board, including director Tommy Wirkola, writers Pat Casey, and Josh Miller. They’ve all voiced their intentions to stretch the boundaries of the sequel’s storyline. Unlike the first film, which was primarily a thriller confined within a single mansion, this time around, Wirkola wants to guide viewers to the North Pole, unveiling his vision of Santa’s workshop and the elves. The expansion also hints at the possible debut of Mrs. Claus, a character alluded to but never shown in the original movie.

In the upcoming sequel, not only will we meet fresh faces and encounter broader scenarios, but it’s also set to embrace a different cinematic style. The creative minds hint that while the first movie was deeply influenced by the layout of “Die Hard”, the second installment, titled “Violent Night 2”, will delve into thematic inspiration from classic Westerns. This could imply a possible change in storyline, potentially portraying Santa as a solitary guardian battling a new danger in a chaotic frontier, or constructing the narrative around a climactic high-noon showdown. Additionally, the sequel aims to expand upon the first film’s mythos, such as the enigmatic naughty list and Santa’s mysterious bag of presents, promising a larger, more daring, and equally action-packed holiday spectacle.

Violent Night 2 is scheduled to be released in theaters on December 4, 2026.

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2025-08-06 13:42