‘Bad Santa’ Was Originally Written for This ‘Sopranos’ Star

The 2003 film Bad Santa quickly became one of the most popular dark Christmas comedies. Directed by Terry Zwigoff, it starred Billy Bob Thornton as Willie, a cynical, foul-mouthed alcoholic who works as a department store Santa each year. Together with his partner Marcus, played by Tony Cox, he uses the job as a cover for robbing malls during the holidays.

Upon release, the movie was described as

“It’s a Wonderful Life meets South Park.”

It received positive reviews and has since earned its place as an unconventional holiday favorite. Yet its path to the screen was anything but smooth.

A Troubled Production

From the start, an R-rated Christmas comedy was a risky concept. Universal rejected the script, labeling it as offensive and anti-Christmas. Bob Weinstein of Miramax, however, decided to pick it up for exactly those provocative qualities.

Several obstacles emerged during filming. Child actor Brett Kelly, who portrayed Thurman Merman, caught chickenpox and missed a week of shooting. Billy Bob Thornton was reportedly intoxicated during certain scenes and later worked through hangovers. After poor test screenings, Weinstein demanded reshoots, but Zwigoff refused. Director Todd Phillips eventually contributed in an uncredited capacity to help complete the film.

Unlikely Success

Despite all the setbacks, Bad Santa was released in 2003 and became a surprise box-office hit. Its blend of dark humor, flawed characters, and unlikely heart turned it into a cult classic that still defines offbeat holiday cinema today.

Author’s summary: A chaotic production, risky humor, and strong performances helped turn Bad Santa from a near-failure into one of the most distinctive Christmas comedies ever made.

VICE — 2025-11-03