Arnold Schwarzenegger is bringing his iconic action star status to the holiday season alongside Reacher star Alan Ritchson in Amazon MGM’s upcoming Christmas-themed action film, The Man With the Bag.
The film centers on these two action icons playing unexpected allies who must join forces to save Christmas. Prime Video’s latest endeavor to create a successful holiday film franchise has officially begun production, and the streamer has now shared the first official look at The Man With the Bag showcasing both stars.
The first image (seen below) gives fans a glimpse of Alan Ritchson and Arnold Schwarzenegger fully embracing the Christmas spirit, with Schwarzenegger donning a Santa Claus look.
Ritchson portrays Vance, a former thief, while Schwarzenegger takes on the role of the bearded, gift-bearing Santa Claus who finds himself in need of assistance to recover his magical bag of presents. This marks the second instance where Amazon has reimagined Santa as a muscular, action-ready character—following Red One, which featured a similarly ripped J.K. Simmons.
Although an official release date for The Man With the Bag has yet to be confirmed, it’s expected to premiere sometime next year during the holiday season. It remains unknown whether the film will release in theaters in addition to streaming on Prime Video. However, fans of the leads can likely look forward to its arrival next year.
The Man With the Bag comes from Amazon MGM Studios and is directed by Adam Shankman, who is best known for directing Hairspray (2007) and Rock of Ages.
The screenplay is written by Allan Rice (Stuck in the Middle), with producers including Lawrence Grey, Ben Everard, Reg Tigerman, Dan Spilo, and Alan Ritchson.
Based on the creative team’s credits, The Man With the Bag promises to be a lighthearted, family-friendly adventure aimed at audiences of all ages. Here’s the official synopsis:
“When Santa’s magic bag is stolen, he turns to his naughty list to find Vance, a former thief, to help him get it back. Along with his daughter, Santa, and a group of misfit elves, Vance will have to pull off the greatest heist of his life to save Christmas.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger & Alan Ritchson are Officially on Set
Amazon MGM Studios recently confirmed that production has officially begun, sharing a first look at the duo in character:
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Alan Ritchson are officially on set for #TheManWithTheBag. Production has begun!
— Amazon MGM Studios (@AmazonMGMStudio) December 17, 2024
Schwarzenegger has a long history with Christmas-themed films, having previously starred in the 1996 holiday comedy Jingle All the Way. While the film received mixed reviews, many audiences continue to view Jingle All the Way as a nostalgic classic Christmas movie.
The Man With the Bag represents Schwarzenegger’s first return to a holiday movie since Jingle All the Way. Despite the expectations that it will be a considerable shift in tone, this new film could mark a fresh opportunity for redemption for both critics and audiences alike. While the bar for comparison is set quite high, this project allows Schwarzenegger to return to his signature mix of action and comedy.
Alan Ritchson’s Rising Career with Amazon
The Man With the Bag will also mark the first major film starring Alan Ritchson following his multi-picture deal with Amazon earlier this year. Ritchson has a busy slate ahead, including his role in the Nicholas Sparks adaptation Counting Miracles and the upcoming third season of the hit series Reacher.
The third season recently received an official release date and trailer, signaling its upcoming premiere in early 2025. With The Man With the Bag alongside Schwarzenegger and his other projects on the horizon, it’s clear that Ritchson’s growing career on Amazon’s Prime Video platform is now in full swing.
Ritchson has garnered fans from his days in Titans with DC and his other roles over the years, but The Man With the Bag signifies an exciting new chapter in his career—especially for those who admire action and comedy in the holiday season. With both Ritchson and Schwarzenegger at the helm, this promises to be an exciting addition to Amazon Prime Video’s evolving lineup.
