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Two underrated raunchy comedies starring Billy Bob Thornton have a new streaming home. Both these movies are available on the Max streaming service.

As of April 1, Bad Santa has joined the ever-expanding catalog of feature films available on HBO's Max streaming service. Its sequel, Bad Santa 2, is also available for streaming on the platform, giving fans the opportunity to binge the entire Bad Santa experience in one place.

Directed by Terry Zwigoff from a script written by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, which itself was based on a story by the formally uncredited Cohen Brothers, Bad Santa starred Billy Bob Thornton as Willie T. Soke, a professional thief who works with his partner Marcus Skidmore, portrayed by Tony Cox, pulling off various small time heists.

When their attention turns towards a local shopping mall, the pair take jobs as a mall Santa and elf to gain easy access to their real target.

Exclusive: Red-hot comic Nate Bargatze is in negotiations to star in Christmas in Paradise, a holiday family comedy from Amazon MGM Studios and United Artists’ Scott Stuber that’s in the early stages of development.

The film will have him playing a beloved small-town doctor (Bargatze) who finds himself with a unique bounty on his head just a week before Christmas, in a town where everything is not as it seems. It’s the second he’s signed on to in the last few months, on the heels of The Breadwinner, a TriStar comedy based on his and Dan Lagana’s original pitch, on which he’ll also serve as a producer.

Jeff Tomsic (Tag) is on board to direct from a script by Johnny Rosenthal (Bad Santa 2). UA’s Stuber and Nick Nesbitt will produce alongside Tom McNulty (The Spectacular Now) and Nathan Reimann (Mr. Woodcock), who developed and...

Undoubtably the dirtiest mainstream comedy of the year, Bad Santa 2 is lacking the critical elements of surprise and heart the first film had underneath its nihilist exterior. Billy Bob Thorton’s Willie Soke returns, as hung-over and down-and-out as ever, stuck in a dead-end job as a 50-something stock boy living in a crappy motel. He’s not good at anything; he can’t even get his own suicide right as he sticks his head into his oven only to discover its electric. In the middle of his botched suicide attempt, the slow-witted kid from the first film, Thurman Merman (Brett Kelly), shows up, grown up and now working as a “sandwich artisan” at a sub chain. He still means well, even if he’s unable to read any signs of human behavior in a joke that falls quite flat.

Even though they should have left a good thing alone,...

MaryAnn’s quick take… Hard to believe it took 13 years to get a sequel to our screens and still have it show not a hint of Bad Santa’s inspiration or subversion. I’m “biast” (pro): loved the first film

I’m “biast” (con): didn’t see the need for a sequel

(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)

Hard to believe that the notorious anti-Christmas classic Bad Santa is 13 years old. Even harder to believe that this sequel — the unimaginatively titled Bad Santa 2 — took so long to get to our screens and yet show not a lick of the first movie’s inspiration or subversion. It took more than a decade to come up with what is little more than a pale imitation of an original that had wrapped itself up very satisfyingly? Why bother if there isn’t something new to add?

There’s an effortless lightness,...

This holiday season, why not distract yourself from all the seething hate around you with more hate on screen? Admittedly, Terry Zwigoff’s Bad Santa is a raucous Christmas comedy that jingles my bells – but Bad Santa 2 is downright despicable. Mean-spirited, perverse and emptier than an alcoholic’s three-day-old vodka bottle. Zwigoff’s original film works a tight ensemble comedy angle, but Mark Waters’ second coming is worse than any family’s most inebriated member (even sicker than Brian Posehn’s Uncle Nick).

Imagine your drunk Uncle. Now imagine him puking on the dinner table, putting out his cigarette in the bile and then proceeding to fuck whatever cooked bird was served – in front of everyone, while laughing. Bad Santa 2 is the equivalent of that unstable mess, never living up to the sinful sentiments of 2003’s first mall-Santa heist.

Billy Bob Thorton is back once again as Willie Soke,...

“Happy endings are bullshit,” says Willie T. Stokes (Billy Bob Thornton) at the beginning of “Bad Santa 2,” and don’t we know it. A disheveled, alcoholic, womanizing criminal in a Santa suit may be just the face to epitomize our troubled times, but that doesn’t justify this thinly conceived sequel to 2003’s delightfully mean-spirited black comedy, which plays like an idiot fan tribute to the original.

Trading brains for repetition, “Bad Santa 2” rejects the ambiguous finale of the first installment, which left viewers wondering if the giddy happy ending was real or imagined. Did Willie die? Go to jail? Or actually find some modicum of domestic bliss? Directed by Terry Zwigoff from a wry script by Glenn Requa and John Ficarra — based on an original idea floated by the Coen brothers — “Bad Santa” existed within the bad vibes of its obnoxious antihero; you could even feel sorry for him.

Find out what Willie and Thurman Merman have been up to in the Nsfw Animated Shorts for Bad Santa 2. These animated shorts feature raunchy, laugh out loud moments from our favorite anti-hero as seen through the eyes of his trusty kind-hearted sidekick with the help of some clever animation. Don't miss this hilarious new comedy starring Billy Bob Thornton, Kathy Bates, Christina Hendricks, Tony Cox and Brett Kelly in theaters this Thanksgiving!

These animated shorts, which come courtesy of Broad Green Pictures, are entitled That's My Willie, which show that Thurman is still quite naive, as we see what Brett Kelly's Thurman Merman thinks about his hero, Willie Soke (Billy Bob Thornton). These brief shorts feature Thurman's thoughts about Black Friday, how Willie taught Thurman how to drive when he was just 12 years old, and how Willie almost "caught a train" to the end of the line. What...

Rob Leane Oct 28, 2016

Looking ahead to the movies heading to cinemas in time for Christmas...

The festive season is a great time to go to the pictures. There’s nothing quite like taking solace when it’s cold outside by cramming in with some like-minded folk to see a (hopefully) great movie.

Unsurprisingly, Hollywood studios have cottoned on to this. Year on year, there seems to more and more choice at the cinema come Christmas time. It’s almost like a second summer season, in terms of the sheer volume of major movies on offer. This isn’t likely to change any time soon, especially when you look at the cash banked by Star Wars: The Force Awakens last Christmas. And that's not to mention the festive season's nearness to the Oscar race, which means that the major movies keep coming well into January.

There are many movies rocking around the multiplex during this Yuletide,...

Broad Green Pictures and Miramax have provided us with the new poster for their upcoming sequel Bad Santa 2 and tries to less raunchy than the red-band trailer.

Check out the poster below.

Don't forget to share this post on your Facebook wall and with your Twitter followers! Just hit the buttons on the top of this page.

Bad Santa 2 returns Academy Award-winner Billy Bob Thornton to the screen as America's favorite anti-hero, Willie Soke. Fueled by cheap whiskey, greed and hatred, Willie teams up once again with his angry little sidekick, Marcus (Tony Cox), to knock off a Chicago charity on Christmas Eve. Along for the ride is 'the kid' - chubby and cheery Thurman Merman (Brett Kelly), a 250-pound ray of sunshine who brings out Willie's sliver of humanity. 

Mommy issues arise when the pair are joined by Academy Award, Golden Globe and Emmy-winner Kathy Bates, as...

Credit: Jan Thijs / Broad Green Pictures / Miramax

Why choose between a crook and a liar when you can have both? Check out Willie’s platform in his New Nsfw Election Spot to see how he plans to Make America Bad Again!

Don’t forget to check out Bad Santa 2 starring Academy Award-winner Billy Bob Thornton, Academy Award-winner Kathy Bates, Christina Hendricks, Tony Cox and Brett Kelly when it opens in theatres everywhere November 23.

Bad Santa 2 returns Academy Award®-winner Billy Bob Thornton to the screen as America’s favorite anti-hero, Willie Soke. Fueled by cheap whiskey, greed and hatred, Willie teams up once again with his angry little sidekick, Marcus (Tony Cox), to knock off a Chicago charity on Christmas Eve. Along for the ride is ‘the kid’ – chubby and cheery Thurman Merman (Brett Kelly), a 250-pound ray of sunshine who brings out Willie’s sliver of humanity.

A few days we posted the red-band trailer but now Broad Green Pictures and Miramax have released a new green-band trailer from their upcoming sequel Bad Santa 2 and tries to less raunchy than the red-band trailer.

Check out the trailer below.

Bad Santa 2 returns Academy Award-winner Billy Bob Thornton to the screen as America's favorite anti-hero, Willie Soke. Fueled by cheap whiskey, greed and hatred, Willie teams up once again with his angry little sidekick, Marcus (Tony Cox), to knock off a Chicago charity on Christmas Eve. Along for the ride is 'the kid' - chubby and cheery Thurman Merman (Brett Kelly), a 250-pound ray of sunshine who brings out Willie's sliver of humanity. 

Mommy issues arise when the pair are joined by Academy Award, Golden Globe and Emmy-winner Kathy Bates, as Willie's horror story of a mother, Sunny Soke. A super butch super bitch, Sunny raises the bar for the gang's ambitions,...

If the red band trailer that debuted yesterday for Bad Santa 2 wasn't to your liking, then perhaps this new all-ages trailer will be right up your alley. The humor is still quite crude and crass, but all of the naughty R-rated words have been cut out. The sequel itself is rated R, so the red band trailer is a more accurate glimpse of what you'll see in theaters. Here, we also have three new photos of Billy Bob Thornton's Willie Soke.

This new trailer from Broad Green Pictures reveals that Willie hasn't seen his mother Sunny Soke (Kathy Bates) in 15 years, but now they're back together to work on a heist with Willie's old partner Marcus (Tony Cox). This new trailer also reveals that Billy Bob Thornton's Willie isn't convinced the target of their next heist is even worthy of stealing from. Willie also tries to get...

You better watch out: Bad Santa 2 is coming to town.

Bad Santa 2 returns Academy Award®-winner Billy Bob Thornton to the screen as America’s favorite anti-hero, Willie Soke. Fueled by cheap whiskey, greed and hatred, Willie teams up once again with his angry little sidekick, Marcus (Tony Cox), to knock off a Chicago charity on Christmas Eve. Along for the ride is ‘the kid’ – chubby and cheery Thurman Merman (Brett Kelly), a 250-pound ray of sunshine who brings out Willie’s sliver of humanity. Check out the new Nsfw Red Band Trailer:

Mommy issues arise when the pair are joined by Academy Award®, Golden Globe and Emmy-winner Kathy Bates, as Willie’s horror story of a mother, Sunny Soke. A super butch super bitch, Sunny raises the bar for the gang’s ambitions, while somehow lowering the standards of criminal behavior. Willie is further burdened by...

Academy Award-winner Billy Bob Thornton slips down the chimney in the new full length red band trailer for Bad Santa 2. This age-restricted trailer gives us a closer look at the unusual relationship Willie Soke (Billy Bob Thornton) has with his volatile, foul-mouthed mother Sunny (Kathy Bates), as they team up to rob a charity. We also see more footage that showcases the naughty side of Christina Hendricks' Diane in this raucous new trailer.

Bad Santa 2 returns Academy Award-winner Billy Bob Thornton to the screen as America's favorite anti-hero, Willie Soke. Fueled by cheap whiskey, greed and hatred, Willie teams up once again with his angry little sidekick, Marcus (Tony Cox), to knock off a Chicago charity on Christmas Eve. Along for the ride is 'the kid' - chubby and cheery Thurman Merman (Brett Kelly), a 250-pound ray of sunshine who brings out Willie's sliver of humanity.

Mommy...

Broad Green Pictures and Miramax have released a brand new red-band trailer from their upcoming sequel Bad Santa 2.

Bad Santa 2 returns Academy Award®-winner Billy Bob Thornton to the screen as America's favorite anti-hero, Willie Soke. Fueled by cheap whiskey, greed and hatred, Willie teams up once again with his angry little sidekick, Marcus (Tony Cox), to knock off a Chicago charity on Christmas Eve. Along for the ride is 'the kid' - chubby and cheery Thurman Merman (Brett Kelly), a 250-pound ray of sunshine who brings out Willie's sliver of humanity. 

Mommy issues arise when the pair are joined by Academy Award, Golden Globe and Emmy-winner Kathy Bates, as Willie's horror story of a mother, Sunny Soke. A super butch super bitch, Sunny raises the bar for the gang's ambitions, while somehow lowering the standards of criminal behavior. Willie is further burdened by lusting after the curvaceous and prim Diane,...

Billy Bob Thornton’s dirty, foul-mouthed St. Nick is coming back to town and is ready to once again con people out of their money in “Bad Santa 2.” Miramax and Broad Green Pictures released a new Nsfw red band trailer which shows Willie Soke back to his old bad habits.

In the sequel to the 2003 comedy, fueled by cheap whiskey, greed and hatred, Willie reunites with his sidekick Marcus (Tony Cox) to rob a Chicago charity on Christmas Eve. Along for the ride is Thurman Merman (Brett Kelly) and his tough as nails mother Sunny Soke, portrayed by Kathy Bates, who raises the bar for the gang’s ambitions, while somehow lowering the standards of criminal behavior.

Read More: ‘Bad Santa 2’ Teaser: Billy Bob Thornton Returns As Foul-Mouth St. Nick in Nsfw Red Band Trailer

Directed by Mark Waters and written by Johnny Rosenthal, Doug Ellin and Shauna Cross,...

Academy Award-winner Billy Bob Thornton to the screen as America’s favorite anti-hero, Willie Soke. Fueled by cheap whiskey, greed and hatred, Willie teams up once again with his angry little sidekick, Marcus (Tony Cox), to knock off a Chicago charity on Christmas Eve. Along for the ride is ‘the kid’ – chubby and cheery Thurman Merman (Brett Kelly), a 250-pound ray of sunshine who brings out Willie’s sliver of humanity. Mommy issues arise when the pair are joined by Academy Award®, Golden Globe and Emmy-winner Kathy Bates, as Willie’s horror story of a mother, Sunny Soke. A super butch super bitch, Sunny raises the bar for the gang’s ambitions, while somehow lowering the standards of criminal behavior. Willie is further burdened by lusting after the curvaceous and prim Diane, played by Emmy Award-nominee Christina Hendricks, the charity director with a heart of gold and libido of steel.

Broad Green Pictures and Miramax have released the Green-Band trailer from their upcoming sequel Bad Santa 2.

Bad Santa 2 returns Academy Award®-winner Billy Bob Thornton to the screen as America's favorite anti-hero, Willie Soke. Fueled by cheap whiskey, greed and hatred, Willie teams up once again with his angry little sidekick, Marcus (Tony Cox), to knock off a Chicago charity on Christmas Eve. Along for the ride is 'the kid' - chubby and cheery Thurman Merman (Brett Kelly), a 250-pound ray of sunshine who brings out Willie's sliver of humanity. 

Mommy issues arise when the pair are joined by Academy Award, Golden Globe and Emmy-winner Kathy Bates, as Willie's horror story of a mother, Sunny Soke. A super butch super bitch, Sunny raises the bar for the gang's ambitions, while somehow lowering the standards of criminal behavior. Willie is further burdened by lusting after the curvaceous and prim Diane,...

Earlier this week, we got our first dose of R-rated footage in the red band trailer for Broad Green Pictures' highly-anticipated sequel Bad Santa 2. While it's clear that Billy Bob Thornton's Willie Soke hasn't changed too much since the original 2004 classic Bad Santa, in this sequel, he'll have to contend with his mother, Sunny Soke, played by Oscar winner Kathy Bates. For those seeking footage that's safe for all ages, the studio has released a new green band trailer, which reveals exactly how Willie's former partner in crime, Marcus (Tony Cox), was let out of jail.

At the end of the original Bad Santa, Marcus and his wife Lois (Lauren Tom) were arrested and thrown behind bars. We learned in yesterday's trailer that Marcus is out, and he has a job for Willie that could be worth millions. This new trailer from Broad Green Pictures reveals that Marcus...

Bad Santa 2 returns Academy Award-winner Billy Bob Thornton to the screen as America’s favorite anti-hero, Willie Soke.

Check out the new Red Band Trailer:

Fueled by cheap whiskey, greed and hatred, Willie teams up once again with his angry little sidekick, Marcus (Tony Cox), to knock off a Chicago charity on Christmas Eve. Along for the ride is ‘the kid’ – chubby and cheery Thurman Merman (Brett Kelly), a 250-pound ray of sunshine who brings out Willie’s sliver of humanity.Mommy issues arise when the pair are joined by Academy Award®, Golden Globe and Emmy-winner Kathy Bates, as Willie’s horror story of a mother, Sunny Soke. A super butch super bitch, Sunny raises the bar for the gang’s ambitions, while somehow lowering the standards of criminal behavior. Willie is further burdened by lusting after the curvaceous and prim Diane, played by Emmy Award-nominee Christina Hendricks, the...

It’s been 13 years since audiences first met Willie Soke, the cheap whiskey-drinking, grouchy and inappropriate con who dressed as Saint Nick to steal money. Now, Billy Bob Thornton returns to reprise his role in the sequel, “Bad Santa 2.”

This time around, Willie (Thornton) teams up once again with his angry sidekick Marcus (Tony Cox) to knock off a Chicago charity on Christmas Eve. Along for the ride is chubby and cheery Thurman Merman (Brett Kelly), a 250-pound ray of sunshine who brings out Willie’s sliver of humanity.

Read More: ‘Bad Santa 2’ Trailer: Billy Bob Thornton’s St. Nick is Back, Learned Nothing From The First Movie

In the Nsfw trailer released by Miramax and Broad Green Pictures, Willie remains the same mean-tempered guy with mommy issues looking to make an easy buck. Kathy Bates reprises her role as Sunny Soke and Christina Hendricks co-stars as the...

Last month, the first trailer for Bad Santa 2 arrived, but we only got a quick glimpse of Billy Bob Thornton's iconic character Willie Soke. Just a few days ago, the first photos and poster surfaced that offered our first look at Brett Kelly's Thurman Merman and the return of Willie's diminutive sidekick Marcus (Tony Cox). If the first trailer didn't quite hit the spot, then perhaps this new red band trailer will, chocked full of R-rated language, nudity and much more, so watch at your own risk.

Bad Santa 2 returns Academy Award-winner Billy Bob Thornton to the screen as America's favorite anti-hero, Willie Soke. Fueled by cheap whiskey, greed and hatred, Willie teams up once again with his angry little sidekick, Marcus (Tony Cox), to knock off a Chicago charity on Christmas Eve. Along for the ride is 'the kid' - chubby and cheery Thurman Merman...

Thirteen years after the filthy hijinks of Bad Santa, professional thieves Willie T. Soke (Billy Bob Thornton) and right-hand-man Marcus (Tony Cox) reunite in the film's long-awaited sequel. The first trailer finds that disgruntled duo talking business at a diner, as Marcus teases a new job with a potential windfall of "millions." Fittingly, Soke fires back with a racist one-liner.

Overall, the clip is light on plot and heavy on button-pushing quips — like Soke, dressed in his familiar Santa attire, spouting profanity at passerby ("Ho, ho, merry Christmas. Feed the starving children.

Broad Green Pictures and Miramax have released the red-band trailer from their upcoming sequel Bad Santa 2.

Bad Santa 2 returns Academy Award®-winner Billy Bob Thornton to the screen as America's favorite anti-hero, Willie Soke. Fueled by cheap whiskey, greed and hatred, Willie teams up once again with his angry little sidekick, Marcus (Tony Cox), to knock off a Chicago charity on Christmas Eve. Along for the ride is 'the kid' - chubby and cheery Thurman Merman (Brett Kelly), a 250-pound ray of sunshine who brings out Willie's sliver of humanity. 

Mommy issues arise when the pair are joined by Academy Award, Golden Globe and Emmy-winner Kathy Bates, as Willie's horror story of a mother, Sunny Soke. A super butch super bitch, Sunny raises the bar for the gang's ambitions, while somehow lowering the standards of criminal behavior. Willie is further burdened by lusting after the curvaceous and prim Diane,...

Wilder. Drunker. Badder. After dropping the first teaser trailer last week, Broad Green Pictures returns with a new motion poster for Bad Santa 2. And it has literally leaked online. But that's not the most exciting thing for fans of this Christmas comedy franchise. New photos have also debuted, and they give us a first look at Thurman Merman all grown-up!

Bad Santa 2 returns Academy Award-winner Billy Bob Thornton to the screen as America's favorite anti-hero, Willie Soke. Fueled by cheap whiskey, greed and hatred, Willie teams up once again with his angry little sidekick, Marcus (Tony Cox), to knock off a Chicago charity on Christmas Eve. Along for the ride is 'the kid', chubby and cheery Thurman Merman (Brett Kelly), a 250-pound ray of sunshine who brings out Willie's sliver of humanity.&#160

Mommy issues arise when the pair are joined by Academy Award, Golden Globe and Emmy-winner Kathy Bates,...

Broad Green Pictures and Miramax have released the poster/motion poster and photos from the upcoming sequel Bad Santa.

Bad Santa 2 returns Academy Award®-winner Billy Bob Thornton to the screen as America's favorite anti-hero, Willie Soke. Fueled by cheap whiskey, greed and hatred, Willie teams up once again with his angry little sidekick, Marcus (Tony Cox), to knock off a Chicago charity on Christmas Eve. Along for the ride is 'the kid' - chubby and cheery Thurman Merman (Brett Kelly), a 250-pound ray of sunshine who brings out Willie's sliver of humanity. 

Mommy issues arise when the pair are joined by Academy Award®, Golden Globe and Emmy-winner Kathy Bates, as Willie's horror story of a mother, Sunny Soke. A super butch super bitch, Sunny raises the bar for the gang's ambitions, while somehow lowering the standards of criminal behavior. Willie is further burdened by lusting after the curvaceous and prim Diane,...

Bad Santa 2 returns Academy Award-winner Billy Bob Thornton to the screen as America’s favorite anti-hero, Willie Soke.

Fueled by cheap whiskey, greed and hatred, Willie teams up once again with his angry little sidekick, Marcus (Tony Cox), to knock off a Chicago charity on Christmas Eve. Along for the ride is ‘the kid’ – chubby and cheery Thurman Merman (Brett Kelly), a 250-pound ray of sunshine who brings out Willie’s sliver of humanity.

Mommy issues arise when the pair are joined by Academy Award®, Golden Globe and Emmy-winner Kathy Bates, as Willie’s horror story of a mother, Sunny Soke. A super butch super bitch, Sunny raises the bar for the gang’s ambitions, while somehow lowering the standards of criminal behavior. Willie is further burdened by lusting after the curvaceous and prim Diane, played by Emmy Award-nominee Christina Hendricks, the charity director with a heart of gold and libido of steel.

The Legend is back! Billy Bob Thornton is ready for an all-new heist in the long-anticipated sequel Bad Santa 2. The first teaser trailer has officially dropped, and proves you can't reform the worst of criminals. Asleep at the wheel and forever confused by the youth of today, the iconic Willie T. Sokes is back in the mall, ready to take all your personal Christmas present requests, so he can trek them back to the north pole! We don't get to see too much in this quick tease, but it's certainly exciting to see Thornton back in the beard and red suit.

Miramax and Broad Green Pictures announced last year that principal photography had begun in Montr&#233al, Qu&#233bec, Canada on Bad Santa 2. The sequel is a follow-up to the raucous comedy hit Bad Santa first released in 2003. Geyer Kosinski will produce. Billy Bob Thornton is reprising his...

The teaser trailer has popped online for Bad Santa 2, the sequel to the 2003 film Bad Santa. The film Billy Bob Thornton, Kathy Bates, Tony Cox, Brett Kelly, Christina Hendricks, Jenny Zigrino, Ryan Hansen, and Jeff Skowron.

The upcoming American Christmas black comedy crime film is directed by Mark Waters from a screenplay written by Doug Ellin, Steve Pink, Johnny Rosenthal, and Shauna Cross.

The film follows Willy Soke (played Billy Bob Thornton) as he conspires with his mother (played Kathy Bates) to bilk a charity.

Bad Santa 2 is scheduled to be released on November 23, 2016 by Broad Green Pictures.

Have a look at the teaser below.

Please Don't forget to share this post on your Facebook wall and with your Twitter followers! Just hit the buttons on the top of this page.

After nearly five years of rumors about a “Bad Santa 2” being in the works, we finally have a trailer for the much anticipated holiday movie. Judging by the looks of things, star Billy Bob Thornton’s Willie Soke hasn’t warmed up to his job as jolly old St. Nick one bit.

So what took so long getting the sequel off the ground? “The writer is still working on the script. He’s doing his rewrite right now,” Thornton told The Playlist way back in 2012. “We saw the first draft and we just had a few little things we wanted to take away or add and he’s doing that. The plan is to shoot that in the fall.” As is frequently the case in Hollywood, unanticipated script revisions can add years to a project’s timeline.

Miramax and Broad Green Pictures are releasing the movie in November. Thornton...

Literary/talent manager George Heller has joined Brillstein Entertainment Partners. For the past five years, Heller led the Los Angeles management operations of Denis Leary and Jim Serpico’s Apostle. Before that, he was a manager at Principato-Young. Heller will bring all of his clients with him to Bep. The list includes Randall Green (Scooby Doo), Seth Owen (Peepers), Adam Perlman (The Good Wife, Billions), Johnny Rosenthal (Bad Santa 2), Rebecca Drysdale (Key & Peele, Ba…...

Just in case you missed it, Miramax and Broad Green Pictures announced on January 11, 2015 that principal photography has started in Montréal, Québec, Canada, on Bad Santa 2, the follow-up to the raucous comedy hit Bad Santa.

As was previously reported, the film boasts an all-star cast led by Billy Bob Thornton, Kathy Bates, Christina Hendricks, Tony Cox, and Brett Kelly. Joining the already announced cast are Ryan Hansen (Veronica Mars, 2 Broke Girls), comedian Jenny Zigrino (50 Shades of Black), and Jeff Skowron (The Good Shepherd). Hansen will play Regent Hastings, who runs a charitable organization with his wife Diane (Hendricks). Zigrino and Skowron play security guards Gina and Dorfman, respectively. The trio joins Thornton (television series Fargo, Sling Blade, Simple Plan, Bandits) reprising his Golden Globe-nominated role as Willy Soke, and Bates (Misery, Titanic, Dolores Claiborne) who plays Willy’s tough-as-nails mom Sunny Soke, as well as original cast members Cox...

Miramax and Broad Green Pictures announced today that principal photography has begun in Montr&#233al, Qu&#233bec, Canada on Bad Santa 2. The sequel is a follow-up to the raucous comedy hit Bad Santa first released in 2003. Geyer Kosinski will produce. Billy Bob Thornton is reprising his iconic role as Willie Soke in the sequel, with Mad Men star Christina Hendricks joining the cast last week.

Miramax has partnered with Broad Green Pictures to co-finance and co-produce Bad Santa. Broad Green will distribute Bad Santa 2 theatrically in the U.S. during the 2016 holiday season. Sierra/Affinity will handle foreign sales with sales starting at the upcoming American Film Market (November 4-11, 2015). Said Zanne Devine, Miramax's Evp of Film & TV.

"We've been waiting far too long to see Billy Bob's Willie Soke mess with the holiday season in his own unique way. We couldn't be more excited to partner with Billy Bob,...

With production set to begin later this month in Montreal, the cast is coming together for Miramax's long-awaited sequel Bad Santa 2. Deadline reports that Mad Men star Christina Hendricks has joined the cast, portraying a new character who runs a charitable organization. While not specified in the site's report, it's possible that she could be the new love interest for Billy Bob Thornton's Willie Soke.

The Bad Santa 2 cast also includes Kathy Bates, who portrays Willie Soke's mother, described as a "foul-mouthed" woman. Tony Cox (Marcus) and Brett Kelly (The Kid) will also reprise their roles from the original Bad Santa, but it isn't known if others such as Lauren Graham or Lauren Tom will be back for this follow-up. No story details have been released at this point, but hopefully we'll learn more as production gets under way.

The original Bad Santa earned $76.4 million at the...

Miramax and Broad Green Pictures have announced that "Drive" and "Mad Men" actress Christina Hendricks will join the cast of the upcoming dark comedy "Bad Santa 2".

Hendricks will play Diane, a woman who runs a charitable organization who, naturally, becomes the love interest to Billy Bob Thornton's mall-Santa scoundrel Willie Soke.

Tony Cox and Brett Kelly from the original film will also return while Kathy Bates is also onboard as Sunny Soke, the foulmouthed, tough-as-nails mom of Thornton's character.

Mark Waters will direct from a screenplay by Johnny Rosenthal, Doug Ellin and Shauna Cross. Geyer Kosinski and Andrew Gunn will produce and shooting will commence later this month in Montreal.

Source: Miramax...

Plus: to Bobby Moresco to write Lamborghini – The Legend for Ambi; Uwe Boll prepares final film… for a while; and more…

Andrew Rodgers has been appointed executive director of the Denver Film Society after serving since 2005 as executive director of the RiverRun International Film Festival in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Rodgers holds an Mba and a degree in journalism. He worked for the Chicago Tribune before serving as a publicist for the Sundance Film Festival and Chicago International Film Festival.

During his tenure at RiverRun he grew the event’s annual income by nearly 200% and secured support from Fortune 500 companies.

Bob Clasen, chair of the search committee for Denver Film Society and chair-elect of the Society’s board of directors, said: “Andrew was far and above the most outstanding candidate we reviewed and interviewed.

Crash screenwriter producer Bobby Moresco will write the screenplay for Ambi’s biopic Lamborghini – The Legend based on the Life of Ferruccio Lamborghini. Principal...

All eyes may be firmly trained on the imminent festive season, though Broad Green Pictures is thinking further afield – specifically, the release date of comedy sequel Bad Santa 2, which is now locked for November 23, 2016.

Releasing a full 13 years after the original cult hit, Billy Bob Thornton will reprise his role as the curmudgeonly Willie Soke, the sleazy mall santa who indulged in all manner of seasonal shenanigans more than a decade ago. Now, he’s primed to return for the sequel, along with Tony Cox (Marcus) and Brett Kelly (The Kid), the latter of whom is all grown up since he first ruffled Soke’s feathers in the first film.

Since it was first announced, the Mark Waters-directed sequel has gradually pulled together its cast as it prepares to enter principal photography in January of next year. Part of that early progress involved the casting of one Kathy Bates...

Broad Green Pictures has set a release date for Bad Santa 2, the sequel to the 2003 black comedy it is co-producing and co-financing with Miramax, on November 23, 2016, which is the Thanksgiving frame. Billy Bob Thornton, Tony Cox and Brett Kelly return in their original roles joined by Kathy Bates. Mark Waters is directing a screenplay by Johnny Rosenthal, Doug Ellin and Shauna Cross. Geyer Kosinski and Andrew Gunn are producing. Executive producers are Miramax's Zanne…...

Billy Bob Thornton‘s “Bad Santa 2” will come down the chimney on November 23, 2016, Broad Green Pictures and partner Miramax said Monday. Thornton reprises his role as conman Willie Soke, with Kathy Bates on board to play his mother. Tony Cox and Brett Kelly also return from the 2003 original in their roles of Marcus and The Kid. Mark Waters will direct from a script by Johnny Rosenthal, Shauna Cross and Doug Ellin. Geyer Kosinski and Andrew Gunn serve as producers, with Miramax’s Zanne Devine and David Thwaites and Broad Green’s Gabriel and Daniel Hammond as executive producers. Also Read: Kathy Bates to.

Us Briefs: Plus, Broad Green dates ‘Bad Santa 2’; FilmRise acquires ‘The Inhabitants’

Warner Bros/Village Roadshow’s Untitled King Arthur Movie from Guy Ritchie and starring Charlie Hunnam (pictured) has been switched from July 22, 2016, to February 17, 2017.

Studio top brass plan to release the film day-and-date worldwide during this period – a strong time for school holidays around the globe.

The Untitled New Line Horror film produced by James Wan is now called Lights Out and moves from September 9, 2016, to July 22, 2016.

Warner Bros recently announced that the September 9, 2016, slot will be occupied by Clint Eastwood’s Sully, the drama about heroic pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger who landed a stricken passenger plane on the Hudson River and saved everybody on board.

Broad Green Pictures said Bad Santa 2 starring Billy Bob Thornton will open nationwide on November 23, 2016. Mark Waters will direct from a screenplay by Johnny Rosenthal, Doug Ellin and Shauna Cross. Geyer Kosinski and [link...

Us Briefs: Plus, Broad Green dates ‘Bad Santa 2’; FilmRise acquires ‘The Inhabitants’

Warner Bros/Village Roadshow’s Untitled King Arthur Movie from Guy Ritchie and starring Charlie Hunnam (pictured) has been switched from July 22, 2016, to February 17, 2017.

Studio top brass plan to release the film day-and-date worldwide during this period – a strong time for school holidays around the globe.

The Untitled New Line Horror film produced by James Wan is now called Lights Out and moves from September 9, 2016, to July 22, 2016.

Warner Bros recently announced that the September 9, 2016, slot will be occupied by Clint Eastwood’s Sully, the drama about heroic pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger who landed a stricken passenger plane on the Hudson River and saved everybody on board.

Broad Green Pictures said Bad Santa 2 starring Billy Bob Thornton will open nationwide on November 23, 2016. Mark Waters will direct from a screenplay by Johnny Rosenthal, Doug Ellin and Shauna Cross. Geyer Kosinski and [link...

After several years of development, The Weinstein Company is finally moving forward with Bad Santa 2, and now the cast is coming together. The Wrap is reporting that Kathy Bates has signed on to portray the mother of Billy Bob Thornton's Willie Soke in the upcoming comedy sequel. No details have been released about her character, or how she fits into the story at this point.

We reported last month that Bad Santa 2 will hit theaters in 2016, with production scheduled to begin this January in Montreal. Very little is known about the story at this point, but Kathy Bates' character is described as a "foul-mouthed" woman. The Wrap also reports that original Bad Santa stars Tony Cox and Brett Kelly will reprise their roles, but it isn't known if Lauren Graham or Lauren Tom will be back for this follow-up.

Mark Waters (Mean Girls) is directing from a screenplay by Doug Ellin,...

Kathy Bates has joined the cast of the upcoming "Bad Santa" sequel at Miramax and Broad Green Pictures.

Bates will play Sunny Soke, the foulmouthed, tough-as-nails mom to Billy Bob Thornton's titular mall-Santa scoundrel Willie Soke. Thornton starred in the 2003 original and reprises his role here. Tony Cox and Brett Kelly from the original will also return.

Mark Waters will direct from a screenplay by Johnny Rosenthal, Doug Ellin and Shauna Cross. Geyer Kosinski and Andrew Gunn will produce. Filming begins January in Montreal ahead of a late 2016 release.

Source: Miramax...

With Mean Girls director Mark Waters instated at the helm, America Horror Story alum Kathy Bates has joined the cast of Bad Santa 2 as Sunny Soke, the no-nonsense mother to Billy Bob Thornton’s sleazy mall santa, Willie Soke.

Setting up shop at Miramax with financing help from Broad Green Pictures, the studios’ long-in-development sequel to 2003’s dark cult comedy is primed to leap in front of the cameras at the beginning of 2016, eyeing up that all-important festive window in little over a year’s time.

Reprising his title role as the con artist, Thornton returns as the borderline-alcoholic Willie for another round of R-rated festivities. Details on the plot are, as you would imagine, thin on the frosty ground, and all we know is that Thornton will suit up once again as the mall-robbing crook. Tony Cox and Brett Kelly are also on board for the sequel though,...

Kathy Bates is set to play Billy Bob Thornton‘s foul-mouthed mother in “Bad Santa 2,” TheWrap has learned. “Mean Girls” director Mark Waters (“Mean Girls”) will direct the sequel, which was written by “Entourage” creator Doug Ellin, Johnny Rosenthal and Shauna Cross. Tony Cox and Brett Kelly are reprising their roles, though plot details are being kept under wraps. Also Read: Taylor Kitsch Joins Kit Harington, Jessica Chastain in Xavier Dolan's English-Language Debut (Exclusive) “Bad Santa 2” will be co-financed by Miramax and Broad Green Pictures, with the latter company handling its release next year. Production will start in January in Montreal.

You better watch out, you better not cry, better not pout, I’m telling you why: Mark Waters is coming to town to direct Billy Bob Thornton in Bad Santa 2.

That’s according to The Hollywood Reporter, citing that Miramax has recruited the Mean Girls filmmaker to take the reins of the edgy comedy sequel, which is now on course to hit theaters in time for Christmas 2016. A good thing, too, with the Patrick Stewart-led ensemble comedy Christmas Eve, Krampus, The Night Before and Love the Coopers all muscling for the lion’s share of the festive box office pie this year.

As for Bad Santa 2, Thornton is in line to reprise his role as the curmudgeonly Willie Soke when the cameras begin rolling in January, where he will be joined by the old faces of Tony Cox and Brett Kelly. Waters will be working from a script by Johnny Rosenthal,...

A few days ago, word came out that after spending years in development hell, Bad Santa 2 is actually happening and star Billy Bob Thornton will return to reprise his role as drunken mall Santa Willie Soke. At the time, we didn't know much other than that Thornton would be back and filming would begin in January for a holiday 2016 release, but now THR has some more news about the movie and fans will likely be pleased to hear it.

First up, Mark Waters (Mean Girls) has been hired to direct this sequel. (/Film pointed me to this awesome interview with original director Terry Zwigoff in which he talks about his bad experience making the 2003 film, so it's no surprise he's not coming back for more.) He has some decent comedy chops, but hopefully the script (written by Johnny Rosenthal, Doug Ellin, and Shauna Cross) is sharp enough to do most of the heavy lifting.

Bad Santa was one of those great dark comedies whose legacy lives on. It took its title, and its premise, and totally delivered on it. As it stands, it probably doesn't need a sequel. It can live on as its own nasty treat, and a piece of ideal counter-programming, for the holidays. But that hasn't stopped Broad Green Pictures from putting together a follow-up. Billy Bob Thornton has agreed to return, as have original cast members Tony Cox and Brett Kelly. The newest piece of the puzzle fell into place recently when it was announced that the film had found its director.

Mark Waters, perhaps best known for his two Lindsay Lohan collaborations, Mean Girls and Freaky Friday, has been tapped to shepherd Bad Santa back to the big screen. The project is being fast-tracked, with the hope that it will be released during next year's holiday season. As such,...

Mark Waters ("Mean Girls") has come onboard to direct the "Bad Santa" sequel at Broad Green Pictures and Miramax, the news following word on Friday that Billy Bob Thornton is set to reprise his role in the followup to the 2003 pitch black holiday comedy.

The original starred Thornton as an alcoholic, sex-addicted, professional thief who disguises himself as a department store Santa Claus in order to rob shopping malls blind at night.

Waters steps into the helming role which Terry Zwigoff served in on the first film. Original castmembers Tony Cox and Brett Kelly have also closed deals to return alongside Thornton.

The project is being fast-tracked with Waters set to start shooting in January from a script by Johnny Rosenthal, Doug Ellin and Shauna Cross. Geyer Kosinski is producing.

A female lead is being sought and if all goes well the film will be out arond the year-end holidays next year.

Mean Girls director Mark Waters has been set to direct Bad Santa 2, the sequel to the 2003 comedy that is now in the works after Miramax and Broad Green Pictures agreed to co-finance and co-produce the dark comedy. Billy Bob Thornton, Tony Cox and Brett Kelly are returning the original cast . Principal photography starts in January in Montreal on the script from Doug Ellin, Shauna Cross, John Phillips and Johnny Rosenthal. Sierra/Affinity is repping international rights…...