On December 17, 2024, action superstar and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was spotted in New York City filming scenes for his new Christmas movie, The Man with the Bag. The 77-year-old Hollywood icon commanded attention in his holiday makeover as Santa Claus, replete with a bright Christmas sweater, a holiday hat, dyed grey hair, and a full, bushy grey beard. The vision of the beloved action star in such a warm, seasonal look has brought mixed emotions from fans: sparking nostalgia, concern, and excitement across social media.
The role of Schwarzenegger as Santa Claus in The Man with the Bag is significant for his career, as this is his first holiday film since the 1996 classic Jingle All the Way. The film, directed by Adam Shankman and written by Allan Rice, puts a holiday spell on high-stakes heist drama. It follows Santa when he recruits a former thief, Vance, played by Reacher star Alan Ritchson, to help recover his stolen magic bag and save Christmas.
Schwarzenegger’s portrayal of a holly-jolly Santa is quite the departure from the action-saturated roles for which he is iconic. This goes to show his acceptance of age-appropriate characters that he can easily carry with charisma onto the screen.
This also happens to be the first film for Schwarzenegger since 2019’s Terminator: Dark Fate. His return to center stage in this heartwarming holiday role adds a new chapter to his illustrious career, and the movie is highly awaited by fans, though a release date has not been announced as yet.
That feeling could not be held within by fans as Schwarzenegger walked down the bustling New York streets flanked by five bodyguards. A clip on X of him on set became the first to go viral, and the views reached almost 17 million in less than 24 hours.
“It’s sad seeing our childhood heroes get old, man…,” one commenter mused over an image of Toy Story’s Woody contemplatively gazing out a rain-soaked window. Another noted, “This man was once the strongest man in the world,” with references to his legendary bodybuilding days and action-hero legacy.
Some of the fans were anxious about his health and aging looks, while others lauded his continued stamina and how he had kept changing with the times regarding his roles. “He’s still strong, adapting to the best version of himself for his age,” gushed an admirer. Many praised his festive look as Santa, even down to one user humorously guessing, “He looks like Santa Claus, legit. Maybe a movie?”
There was quite a commotion associated with Schwarzenegger because New York City crowds demanded his presence. The strong backup of five bodyguards guaranteed not only the well-being and security of the A-star celebrity but also organized discipline on the streets. Regarding the A-star celebrities like Arnold Schwarzenegger, security teams would be a minimum common sight in public on-filming, specially around the vibrant city like New York.
But amidst all the fun and movie action, the transformation of Schwarzenegger into Santa struck a more profound chord in the fans, bringing to light the fact that time has been passing, showing them just how their childhood heroes had changed. On the other hand, Schwarzenegger is inspiring through his never-letting work ethic and an ability to connect with the audience across generations.
In the words of one fan: “I’d like to meet him before it’s too late.” That catches something of the enduring power of Schwarzenegger’s legacy, not only as an action star but as a figure who has transcended genres, roles, and even political arenas.
