2024’s action Christmas movieRed Onestars J.K. Simmons as Santa Claus, but this isn’t his first time wearing the iconic Santa Claus suit – and that first experience makes his role inRed Oneeven better. Holiday content arrived early on the big screen in 2024, and among the first movies to be released is Jake Kasdan’sRed One. Mixing action, comedy, and fantasy,Red Onefollows Callum Drift (Dwayne Johnson), the head of North Pole security who faces the biggest emergency of all: the kidnapping of Santa Claus.
The investigation by the Mythological Oversight and Restoration Authority leads them to hacker Jack O’Malley (Chris Evans), with whom Callum is forced to team up to rescue Santa Claus. Together, they find out that the one behind the whole plan is Gryla (Kiernan Shipka) a shapeshifting troll and winter witch who has chaotic plans to end Christmas, and she needs Santa and the North Pole.Simmons’ version of Santa Claus is unlike the typical portrayal of this character, but, surprisingly, this isn’t the first time he dresses up as the kindest Christmas figure of all.
J.K. Simmons Was An Unconventional Mall Santa Decades Before Red One
J.K. Simmons Once Worked As A Mall Santa
J.K. Simmons has a past as Santa Claus though in animated format (more on that later), but even thoughRed Oneis his first time playing the mythical Christmas figure in live-action, it’s not the first time he wears the iconic red suit. Speaking toEWin November 2024,Simmons shared that, when he was 24, he worked one holiday season as a mall Santa. Simmons explained he isn’t sure how he ended up being Santa Claus or why they thought it would be a good idea to hire him, but he called it the “worst job ever.”
Simmons is right in calling his role inRed Onehis “redemption.”
Simmons shared that, at the time, he smoked a lot – around two packs a day – so he wasn’t exactly the most pleasant Santa Claus to be around. Simmons said he would ask for a cigarette break every 10 minutes, butthe worst part of the job was all the kids who didn’t want to be thereand were forced by their parents to take a photo with him. A mall Santa Claus who smells like cigarettes and is having a miserable time isn’t exactly the most Christmas-y image one can have, and Simmons is right in calling his role inRed Onehis “redemption.”
Red One Ending Explained
2024’s Red One is a Christmas movie that sees the kidnapping and rescue of Santa Claus, with lots of action, comedy, and a bit of drama.
Simmons was an unconventional Santa Claus at a mall many years ago and he plays another one inRed One, but not in an unpleasant (or smelly) way. Simmons’ Santa Claus inRed Oneis not the typical soft, smiley, long-bearded man, and instead, he’s a Santa Claus who spends a good amount of time at his gym in the North Pole and is pretty strong and fit – and he has a sense of humor, of course. Simmons hated his time as a mall Santa, but that experience surely influenced his return to the red suit inRed One, making it a lot easier for him.
J.K. Simmons Voiced Santa Claus Five Years Before Red One
J.K. Simmons Has Already Played A More Conventional Santa Claus
Red Oneis J.K. Simmons’ second time as a live-action Santa Claus, but as mentioned above, he had already voiced the character in an animated movie. In 2019, the animated adventure comedyKlauswas released. Directed by Sergio Pablos,Klaustells an alternate origin story of Santa Claus, with a postman who befriends a reclusive toymaker who goes on to become the Santa Claus everyone now knows.
Klauswas a critical success and was even nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 2020 Academy Awards, becoming the first Netflix animated film to be nominated for an Oscar. Now thanks toRed Oneand its buff Santa Claus with magical powers, J.K. Simmons has a fun history with the most famous Christmas character ever.
Source:EW.
Red One
After Santa Claus is kidnapped, the North Pole’s Head of Security (Dwayne Johnson) must team up with a notorious bounty hunter (Chris Evans) in a thrilling, globe-spanning mission to save Christmas. This action-packed holiday adventure mixes comedy and festive magic, with an ensemble cast that includes Lucy Liu and J.K. Simmons.
