After a modest box office opening and relatively positive critical response, a sequel to the 2022 film Violent Night is confirmed. The project was announced in 2023, and while it’s unclear where the movie stands in the development phase, director Tommy Wirkola is back on board, and star David Harbour is set to reprise his role as the blood-soaked vigilante Santa Claus.
The first film’s self-contained story gives the sequel plenty of creative room to explore, and Harbour has confirmed that “some very talented people” are working on the project. However, as an in-demand actor, Harbour’s prior commitments may cause delays, allowing the script to be fine-tuned, which is key for a low-budget film to succeed.
The only confirmed cast member so far is David Harbour as Santa Claus, but the main characters from the first film died, leaving room for new characters to be introduced. The sequel could delve into Santa’s backstory, explore his relationship with Mrs. Claus and the elves, or see him facing off against new foes.
As for story details, the film could explore more of Santa’s lore, potentially taking a different direction from the first film’s Die Hard-style plot. With Harbour’s character firmly established as a vigilante, the sequel may see him dispensing festive justice to new threats.
There is currently no release timeline for Violent Night 2, but with production reportedly planned for early 2025, it’s possible the film may not arrive in time for the 2025 holiday season.