EXCLUSIVE: Joe Pantoliano and Jared Harris are set to join David Harbour in the cast of Violent Night 2 for Universal Pictures and 87North. Kristen Bell and Daniela Melchior are also on board. Tommy Wirkola will direct from a screenplay by Pat Casey and Josh Miller.
Universal Pictures will release Violent Night 2 on Wednesday, December 4, 2026. While exact plot details are under wraps, Harbour’s ass-kicking Santa Clause is back. And he’s not happy. It is unknown who Harris and Pantoliano will be playing.
The 2022 bare-knuckle holiday sensation Violent Night followed an embittered Santa, armed with lethal combat skills, who takes out a team of ruthless mercenaries to rescue a girl and her family. Now, it’s time for not-so-jolly Saint Nick to suit up again
Violent Night 2 is produced by 87North founders Kelly McCormick and David Leitch through their first-look deal with Universal Pictures. Universal’s Executive Vice President of Production Development Matt Reilly and Director of Development Tony Ducret will oversee the project for the Studio.
Pantoliano is coming off his Emmy-nominated guest role in the HBO hit series The Last Of Us. He was also recently seen in Bad Boys For LIfe. Best known for his roles in Mad Men and Chernobyl, Harris can be seen next in the highly-anticipated Kathryn Bigelow thriller House of Dynamite, which just had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival.
Pantoliano is represented by IAG and Surpin and Mayersohn. Harris is represented by UTA, Independent Talent Group, Amy Guenther at Gateway Management Company, and Sloane Offer Weber & Dern.