Arnold Schwarzenegger and Alan Ritchson to Sleigh in Christmas Movie ‘The Man With The Bag’
Get ready for a holly jolly heist! After a five-year hiatus from acting in films, Arnold Schwarzenegger is back in a leading action-comedy role, bringing his signature charm to a festive new adventure. The Terminator actor is set to star in The Man With The Bag, an upcoming Christmas comedy from Amazon MGM Studios, marking his first return to a live-action Christmas film since his 1996 hit Jingle All the Way. Joining Schwarzenegger is Alan Ritchson, known for his roles in Reacher and Titans. This time, forget saving the world – they’re on a mission to save Christmas.
As per the film’s synopsis, “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. 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.”
Adam Shankman, most recently known for directing Disney+‘s 2022 sequel Disenchanted, is set to helm The Man With The Bag produced by Amazon MGM Studios, with a screenplay written by Allan Rice. Producers attached to the project include Lawrence Grey, Ben Everard, Reg Tigerman, Dan Spilo, and Alan Ritchson.
While casting details have yet to be announced, speculation suggests Arnold Schwarzenegger may don the iconic red suit as Santa Claus, with Alan Ritchson likely to play the thief tasked with stealing Santa’s precious bag of gifts. As of now, no further casting information remains under wraps, and details regarding the project’s progress and filming schedule are yet to be revealed. The Man With The Bag also has no official release date and there are no trailers/teasers yet.
Per Deadline, the project will likely be a nostalgic nod to the “No rules, anything goes” spirit of the ’90s, both in terms of casting and storyline. Surprisingly, the film also marks Schwarzenegger’s return to the big screen after a five-year hiatus, following his roles in Kung Fury 2 (currently caught up in legal troubles) and 2019’s Terminator: Dark Fate. His recent success on the small screen with Netflix’s ‘FUBAR‘ TV series has further solidified his status as a streaming favourite, dominating viewership upon its release and gearing up for a highly anticipated season two.
On the other hand, Ritchson has recently gained significant recognition for his starring role in Prime Video‘s Reacher series and his brilliant performance as a villain in 2023’s Fast X.
