Bad Santa 2: Billy Bob Thornton to return as Willie with Tony Cox and Brett Kelly for festive comedy sequel | London Evening Standard

Bad Santa 2: Billy Bob Thornton to return as Willie with Tony Cox and Brett Kelly for festive comedy sequelThe actor is returning for a sequel to the 2003 cult classicChristmas spirit: Billy Bob Thornton as Bad Santa in the 2003 filmDimension

Billy Bob Thornton will reprise his role as a bad santa next year in a sequel to the 2003 cult comedy.

Thornton, 60, played Willie T. Stokes, a washed-up Santa impersonator and con man in the original film which saw his character rip off shopping centres on Christmas Eve with his Elf Marcus (Tony Cox).

Cox will reprise his role alongside Brett Kelly - who played Thurman Merman - and new addition Kathy Bates.

The American Horror Story actress will play Thornton’s mother in the sequel.

Making a return: Billy Bob Thornton as Bad Santa, Brett Kelly as The Kid and Tony Cox as Elf

Mean Girls director Mark Waters will direct the film while Johnny Rosenthal, Entourage’s Doug Ellin and Whip It’s Shauna Cross will pen the screenplay.

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Filming for the new Broad Green Pictures and Miramax production will start in Montreal in January.

Thornton confirmed news of a sequel in 2009 with a release date for Christmas 2011. In March 2011 the actor confirmed that negotiations had begun and that it was scheduled for Christmas 2013.

Bad Santa 2 is set for cinema release in November 23, 2016.