It was no secret that Dwayne Johnson (Black Adam) and Chris Evans (Avengers: Endgame) were teaming up for a new holiday-themed action movie, and Red One recently began production in Boston. When that news broke, we also learned that J.K. Simmons (Spider-Man: No Way Home) and Bonnie Hunt (Zootopia+) will play Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Now, a first look at the former has been revealed by The Rock, and these photos certainly end some weight to the theories Johnson is playing their incredibly buff son! That snazzy red and green garb makes us think it's a very real possibility, anyway.
In his post, the actor says, "[I'm] introducing the one and only, Santa Claus - played by the one and only Academy Award winner, JK Simmons - who can also pass as my twin. This is a massive globe trotting & fun movie that brings Christmas home to you and your families in a way that you’ve never seen before.|
We recently spoke with Bonnie about her role in Red One and she told us, "It’s worth the wait. There have been other things that came my way where the story doesn’t touch my heart or your intelligence or humour. Then, I got this phone call from Jake [Kasdan] and he sent me the script and said, ‘Let’s talk after you read it.’"
"I was in," she added. "Of course, with Dwayne, Chris, and J.K., it’s a great team."
Previously described as a globe-trotting, four-quadrant action-adventure comedy imagining a whole new universe to explore within the holiday genre, specific story details remain under wraps.
Johnson, Evans, Simmons, and Hunt lead a cast which also includes Lucy Liu, Kiernan Shipka, Kristofer Hivju, Nick Kroll, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, and Wesley Kimmel. Johnson will reteam with Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle director Jake Kasdan for Red One, while Fast & Furious veteran Chris Morgan penned the screenplay.
Red One is expected to premiere on Prime Video sometime next year.