Arnold Schwarzenegger Stars as Santa in the First ‘The Man With the Bag’ Trailer

Avatar photoValentina Kraljik
THE MAN WITH THE BAG
Share:

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s last major Christmas film featured him racing through stores in search of the season’s hottest toy. That classic was ‘Jingle All the Way’, which has become a holiday favorite over the years. Now, nearly three decades later, he is stepping into the iconic red suit itself.

The project has been in the works for some time. ‘The Man with the Bag’ was first announced in June 2023, with ‘Reacher’ star Alan Ritchson set to star and Adam Shankman directing. Photos of Schwarzenegger in costume on the streets of Midtown Manhattan began circulating in December 2024, marking his first feature film in five years.

This also marks his first movie release since 2019’s ‘Terminator: Dark Fate’. Given this context, the debut of the film’s trailer is highly anticipated, and Prime Video has now shared it. The first trailer and poster for ‘The Man With the Bag’ have been unveiled, with the film set to premiere globally on Prime Video on December 2.

In the 49-second trailer, Schwarzenegger’s Santa recruits a petty criminal after his sack of presents goes missing. Prime Video is promoting the movie as the biggest holiday heist of the year.

According to the official synopsis, Santa’s iconic red bag is stolen by a rogue elf with a grudge, jeopardizing Christmas. With his biggest night of the year approaching, Santa enlists a thief from his Naughty List, who quickly gathers a crew of skilled misfits, aided by elves and reindeer, to execute the most unexpected heist of their lives.

Prime Video describes the film as a holiday heist adventure centered on second chances, unlikely friendships, and the realization that even Santa sometimes needs assistance delivering Christmas.

Ritchson portrays Vance, the thief, while Awkwafina plays the rogue elf who steals the bag. Santa’s daughter also joins the mission, along with the group of misfits.

The supporting cast features Berkeley James, Michael Cyril Creighton, Liza Koshy, Kyle Mooney, Jane Krakowski, and Ken Jeong, creating a comedy-heavy ensemble for this holiday action tale.

Shankman directs from a screenplay by Allan Rice, known for his work on ‘Hairspray’ and ‘Rock of Ages’ in film, as well as ‘Modern Family’ and ‘Only Murders in the Building’ on television.

The film is produced by Amazon MGM Studios, with producers including Lawrence Grey, Ben Everard, Reg Tigerman, Dan Spilo, and Ritchson himself. John Debney composes the score, while Jonathan Sela handles cinematography.

This film marks Schwarzenegger’s return to the Christmas genre after ‘Jingle All the Way’, and many fans believe it would make a perfect double feature with that classic. This role is a significant shift for him, as he transitions from chasing Santa to embodying Santa.

Set photos and behind-the-scenes clips have already garnered attention, and the trailer indicates a lighter tone compared to his typical action roles.

For Ritchson, this film represents another milestone in a busy career. He has emerged as one of Prime Video’s leading action stars through ‘Reacher’, with some outlets even dubbing him the new Arnold Schwarzenegger due to his physique and his upcoming revenge thriller ‘Motor City’.

Pairing him with the original action icon is a compelling draw, allowing both actors to showcase their comedic talents.

‘The Man with the Bag’ will be available on Prime Video worldwide on December 2, with the streamer promoting it as a holiday event. The film’s release date was announced during the Prime Video upfronts in New York earlier this year.

For fans of action comedies, Santa’s biggest heist could become a new festive favorite.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments.

Share: