Universal dropped the first look at Violent Night 2 during its CinemaCon presentation, and the trailer delivers exactly the kind of bloody holiday chaos fans have been waiting for. It confirms that David Harbour is back as the hammer-wielding Saint Nick, but this time he has backup in the form of Kristen Bell, who joins the franchise as a decidedly un-dowdy Mrs. Claus.
Violent Night 2 releases new trailer at CinemaCon
The new Violent Night 2 trailer reveals a Santa who has fallen from grace at the North Pole. Harbour’s character is now a disillusioned mall Santa, wandering through the holiday hustle and commiserating with children about his violent past. “Maybe I killed too many people,” he confesses in a moment of grim self-reflection (via The Hollywood Reporter).
However, this mall gig turns out to be anything but a quiet retirement plan. The trailer swerves to high-octane action as it becomes clear that Santa’s own elves have been dispatched to eliminate him.
They are operating under orders from the villain played by Jared Harris. The Violent Night 2 trailer shows David Harbour brawling through a shopping center, utilizing his signature brutal efficiency against his pint-sized, yet deadly, former helpers.
The sequence builds to the crowd-pleasing reveal of Kristen Bell as Mrs Claus. As Harbour promises reinforcements, Bell swings into frame with a perfect one-liner: “Get your own man, he’s taken.”
She wears a stylish red outfit with white trim and displays serious combat proficiency. It is far cry from the quiet homemaker often depicted in lore. Harbour previously hinted at this dynamic, and the trailer confirms the couple is a formidable team. New cast members include Daniela Melchior and Joe Pantoliano.
Tommy Wirkola returns to direct the sequel. Along with 87North’s Kelly McCormick and David Leitch, producing. Screenwriters are Pat Casey and Josh Miller
Now, Santa will come a bit early as Violent Night 2 has a release date for December 4.
