‘Bad Santa’ Was Originally Written for This ‘Sopranos’ Star
Released in 2003, Terry Zwigoff’s Bad Santa quickly became a holiday classic and box-office hit. Initially described as “It’s a Wonderful Life meets South Park,” the movie tells the story of Willie, a cynical and hard-drinking mall Santa, played by Billy Bob Thornton, who teams up with his accomplice Marcus, portrayed by Tony Cox, to rob malls each Christmas.
The film’s success seemed unlikely during production. From the very beginning, the project faced major hurdles. An R-rated Christmas comedy was considered a financial risk, and Universal rejected it, labeling the script as misogynistic and anti-Christmas.
Eventually, Miramax’s Bob Weinstein acquired the film precisely because of its controversial tone. Nevertheless, the set wasn’t without chaos. Brett Kelly, cast as young Thurman Merman, came down with chickenpox and had to pause filming for a week. Thornton himself was reportedly intoxicated during some scenes and suffering from hangovers on others.
When early test screenings went poorly, Weinstein demanded reshoots. Director Terry Zwigoff refused, prompting Todd Phillips—later known for directing Joker—to step in unofficially to handle the additional scenes.
“It was practically a Christmas miracle that it got made at all,” noted people involved in the production.
Legacy
Despite all its production challenges, Bad Santa went on to earn critical acclaim and remains an unconventional but enduring holiday favorite.
Author’s Summary: Against overwhelming odds and industry skepticism, Bad Santa evolved from a chaotic production into one of the most distinctive and beloved holiday comedies ever made.
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