Mark Waters, previously known for making Mean Girls and Freaky Friday, will be in the director’s seat for the upcoming Bad Santa 2. The sequel to the 2003 dark comedy just got the official announcement the other day, so development is moving at a quick pace for this one. Principal photography is already slated to begin in January.
Original cast members Tony Cox and Brett Kelly have also signed on to return, alongside Billy Bob Thornton (Our Brand is Crisis) in the starring role. There is no word yet on the plot, but producers have hired Doug Ellin (Entourage), Shauna Cross (Whip It) and Johnny Rosenthal to pen the script and word is that the filmmakers are currently on the hunt for a female lead. Broad Green has come aboard to co-finance and help produce the sequel alongside Miramax Films.
Waters minted comedy hits with the 2003 film Freaky Friday and his 2004 follow-up Mean Girls (both of which starred Lindsay Lohan), yet has been a bit quieter in recent years. He directed the 2011 Jim Carrey family comedy Mr. Popper’s Penguins, a film that while successful overseas failed to make much of an impression stateside. Just last year, Waters unveiled Vampire Academy, a poorly reviewed teen comedy that failed to connect with audiences.
Bad Santa 2 should be out just in time for Christmas 2016.
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