Billy Bob Thornton has signed on to reprise his role as Willie Soke in “Bad Santa 2,” which Miramax and Broad Green Pictures will co-finance, with the latter company distributing the sequel in U.S. theaters during the 2016 holiday season, it was announced Thursday.
“Bad Santa” was released in 2003 and went on to develop a cult following. Geyer Kosinski (TV’s “Fargo”) will produce the sequel, while Adam Fields will serve as an executive producer.
Sierra/Affinity will handle foreign sales and begin shopping the project to international buyers at the upcoming American Film Market.
“We’ve been waiting far too long to see Billy Bob’s Willie Soke mess with the holiday season in his own unique way,” said Zanne Devine, Miramax’s executive VP of film and TV. “We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Billy Bob, the entire creative and producing team, and Broad Green and Sierra/Affinity to bring back the outrageous humor and characters that made this movie brand iconic in the first place.”
“‘Bad Santa’ has been a part of our family holiday tradition ever since we all saw it together at our neighborhood theater,” Broad Green’s Gabriel Hammond and Daniel Hammond said in a joint statement. “We are excited to bring this memorable character and new chapter back to the big screen.”
David Thwaites will oversee the project for Miramax and Victor Moyers for Broad Green. Production will start in January in Montreal.
“Bad Santa 2” is the latest project for Miramax, which recently released the Ian McKellen drama “Mr. Holmes” and the Kevin Hart comedy “The Wedding Ringer.” Its upcoming films include “The 9th Life of Louis Drax” starring Jamie Dornan, Aaron Paul and Sarah Gadon. Miramax is also co-financing “Bridget Jones’s Baby” with Universal and StudioCanal.
Broad Green recently released the indie hit “A Walk in the Woods” as well as potential awards contenders “I Smile Back” starring Sarah Silverman and “99 Homes” starring Andrew Garfield and Michael Shannon. Its upcoming slate includes “The Infiltrator” starring Bryan Cranston, “Brain on Fire” starring Chloe Grace Moretz, and a trio of films from director Terrence Malick.
The “Bad Santa 2” deal was brokered on behalf of Miramax by Steve Hutensky and WME Global, while Christopher Tricarico and Marc Danon handled for Broad Green. Thornton is represented by WME.