Universal sets comedy Naughty starring Aniston, Dinklage

Universal Pictures has greenlit a new holiday comedy, "Naughty," with Olivia Wilde set to direct and Jennifer Aniston and Peter Dinklage starring, the studio announced on July 28, 2026. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on November 5, 2027.

The project, which will be produced by Margot Robbie's LuckyChap Entertainment alongside Wilde and screenwriter Jimmy Warden, centers on a mother named Mallory, played by Aniston, who is embroiled in a bitter custody battle with her ex-husband. Her unconventional strategy to win involves finding Santa Claus, portrayed by Dinklage, and convincing him to testify on her behalf in divorce court. The script, based on an original spec by Warden, was acquired by Universal in 2023 with Wilde attached to direct.

The casting and greenlight follow the critical and commercial success of Wilde's most recent film, "The Invite," a couples comedy starring Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton. That film, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year and was acquired by A24, has been praised by critics and has performed strongly in its platform release. Studio executives, eager to secure Wilde's next project following...