First Bad Santa 2 Teaser Heralds The Return Of Billy Bob Thornton’s Chain-Smoking Curmudgeon

With a lit cigarette in one hand and an alcoholic beverage in the other, Billy Bob Thornton makes his return in today’s first teaser for Bad Santa 2.

Pegged to hit theaters on November 23, when the black comedy sequel will bring its unique brand of festive cheer to moviegoers, Mark Waters (Mean Girls) is calling the shots behind the lens, and though 13 years have past since the original cult hit, Thornton hasn’t lost any of his charm as the bitter curmudgeon.

Indeed, many are hailing the mere existence of Bad Santa 2 as an early Christmas miracle. Long before Waters came aboard, a sequel to an R-rated seasonal hit from yesteryear was little more than a pipe dream, but low and behold, soon after Thornton confirmed he would don the big red suit once more, Broad Green Pictures and Miramax eased the wheels into motion.

And that’s exactly what Thornton does in today’s first teaser, as our sneering protagonist suits up for an all-new festive season. He’ll be joined by Kathy Bates, The Neon Demon alum Christina Hendricks as a potential love interest to our Bad Santa, Jeff Skwron, Jenny Zigrino, and Cristina Rosato. Shauna Cross (Whip It) and Doug Ellin (Entourage), meanwhile, are the brains behind the script.

Look for Bad Santa 2 to open on November 23.