Saban Films has released an official trailer for the new action-comedy called Fatman, which stars none other than Mel Gibson as Chris Cringle. Yes, Mad Max is playing Santa Claus, or as he’s sometimes referred to, the Fatman. But trust us, this isn’t the jolly ole’ Saint Nick you think it is.

Check out the trailer for Fatman below:

The casting alone is a sign that everyone involved is in on the joke, as Gibson is among the last actors anyone would think of as “jolly,” while Goggins seems well-suited to slay the man in the sleigh. The whole thing is quite effective because it embraces it very silly, and very violent B-movie tendencies. Fatman is both co-written and co-directed by American filmmakers Eshom Nelms & Ian Nelms, directors of Squirrel Trap, Lost on Purpose, Waffle Street, and Small Town Crime previously. In addition to Gibson and Goggins, the movie also stars Marianne Jean-Baptiste (no idea how they scored her into this flick).

Gibson, who has returned to working in Hollywood films in recent years, is next attached to direct an update of the movie The Wild Bunch for Warner. Bros. Whenever a new Gibson film pops up it’s important to remind everyone of his anti-Semitic rant in 2006 and the racist comments he made on tape in 2010. No, yours truly would never really get along with Gibson in real life but when it comes to films like this, separating the art from the artist is rather easy. The on-screen persona of Gibson is oftentimes charming, and in later years his solemn brow has grown extensive wear and taken on a new kind of grumpy, taking-names B-movie level character actor. He may never star in big-budget Hollywood fare anymore so when he takes up jobs like this or Force of Nature, it’s easier to take or leave whatever he puts out. As for Fatman, in the time of COVID, the choice to check it out is entirely up to you more than ever. Check out the trailer for Fatman below, too:

Fatman in select US theaters starting November 13th, then on VOD starting November 17th.

Source: Saban