MJF joins Violent Night 2 cast, filming underway

Maxwell Jacob Friedman, better known to wrestling fans as MJF, has been cast in the sequel Violent Night 2 and is currently filming, industry reports say. The holiday action comedy, which will again star David Harbour as a gruff, combat-ready Santa Claus, is scheduled for wide release on December 4, 2026, and includes a new ensemble that sources say features Kristen Bell, Daniela Melchior, Jared Harris, Joe Pantoliano and influencer Andrew King Bach Bachelor alongside MJF. Specific roles for MJF and Bachelor have not been disclosed.

The sequel is being produced by Universal Pictures and 87North, with Tommy Wirkola returning to direct from a screenplay by Pat Casey and Josh Miller. Reports indicate the 87North founders Kelly McCormick and David Leitch are producing under their first-look deal with Universal. Plot details remain under wraps, though the original 2022 film centered on an embittered Santa who battles mercenaries to save a family and grossed about $76 million worldwide.

The casting marks another step in MJF's expanding crossover from professional wrestling to Hollywood. He has appeared in the wrestling biopic The Iron Claw and in the Netflix comedy Happy Gilmore 2,...