It has just emerged that the role of Santa Claus in Netflix's The Christmas Chronicles 2 could very well be the last role Kurt Russell will ever take on.
Here's why...
Now, we were first introduced to Russell's take on Santa Claus back in 2018.
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The original The Christmas Chronicles hit our screens for that year's festive season and brought with it a whole new take on the Christmas icon.The plot follows a brother and sister, Teddy and Kate, who notice Santa Claus in their home and jump into his sleigh with his reindeer.
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However, their plan soon backfires.The sleigh malfunctions and crashes, resulting in the world's Christmas presents being thrown out and lost.
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And, as Christmas morning approaches, it is up to the children and Santa to save Christmas by correctly delivering all presents.Though The Christmas Chronicles received mixed reviews from critics...
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The movie - and Russell's "sexy" take on Santa Claus, in particular - was an instant hit with fans at home.I don’t mean this sarcastically, but who was the genius that thought to cast Kurt Russell as Santa Claus. Brilliant work.— Autopsy of a Horror Movie (@Autopsy of a Horror Movie)1608701571.0
Kurt Russell makes an amazing Santa Claus— 136,567th In Line for Packer Season Tickets (@136,567th In Line for Packer Season Tickets)1608608362.0
Kurt Russell is without doubt Santa Claus. That is not acting.— KylieKyles (@KylieKyles)1608393019.0
My kids loved you @goldiehawn and Kurt Russell in the christmas chronicles 2. Now they think y'all are the real San… https://t.co/7bv7ELPVG2— Karizmalyn (@Karizmalyn)1608237218.0
Only cast Kurt Russell as Santa Claus from now on. https://t.co/NaNkGE4JQs— Frater Pera, The Living Saint (@Frater Pera, The Living Saint)1608167671.0
can’t believe we lived long enough to see kurt russell become santa claus— katie (@katie)1608598648.0
Kurt Russell is phenomenal as “The Big Man” himself #SantaClaus 🎅🏼 https://t.co/N7TfigoT7v— JC Mizener (@JC Mizener)1608602248.0
Excuse me but I was not prepared for sexy Kurt Russell Santa Claus https://t.co/1V5pEaL2eW— Gail Simone (@Gail Simone)1608436857.0
So stoked to raise my kids with Kurt Russell as Santa Claus. Feels right.— Anders Holm (@Anders Holm)1608086434.0
So, of course, people were delighted to see the rebirth of Russell's Santa Claus in this year's sequel, The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two.
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Released on Netflix on November 25th, the follow-up movie tells the story of the now-cynical teenager, Kate as she is unexpectedly reunited with Santa Claus when a mysterious troublemaker threatens to permanently cancel Christmas.The older siblings once again assist Santa and Mrs. Claus - played by Russell's real-life partner, Goldie Hawn - to save Christmas...
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And, like the last movie, it has been a roaring success with audiences far and wide.However, all good things must come to an end.
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In a recent interview, Chris Columbus, the filmmaker responsible for The Christmas Chronicles franchise and a whole host of other blockbusters, such as the Home Alone and Harry Potter movies, had some grave news for Kurt Russell fans.Allegedly, Santa Claus is the role Russell wants to end his career with.
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Over the course of his illustrious, nearly sixty-year-long acting career, Russell has played Snake Plissken in Escape From New York, MacReady in The Thing, Wyatt Earp in Tombstone, Herb Brooks in Miracle, and the all-powerful Ego in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.But Santa is the one he's ready to end it all with.
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Columbus began by detailing Russell's commitment to the role: “When a guy plays Santa Claus, most of the time it’s not taken seriously," the filmmaker told Yahoo Entertainment. “When Kurt Russell plays Santa Claus, he writes 170 pages about the guy’s backstory and mythology. That is an actor’s commitment."Columbus explained that Russell has a passion like no other:
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“When you see that kind of passion in an actor, to play a role that some people don’t take seriously, you realize I want to go there."But he then revealed that Russell would like to end his career with this role.
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“He said to me, ‘I want to walk into the sunset, this being the last role I play.' He wants to continue doing it. Deep down into his soul, he’s committed to this role. That means 8 weeks growing the beard with little additional flourishes, working with the script every night before he shoots with me."Don't leave us, Kurt!
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The actor is yet to confirm Columbus' claims. To hear what Russell had to say about this year's presidential elections, keep scrolling...