Was the first Bad Santa Lightning in a Bottle? (Pros/Cons of Sequel)
I'm cautiously optimistic about Bad Santa 2.
Bad Santa is one of my favorite films, and definitely one of my favorite comedies. There have been so many "Bad Something" movies after it (Bad Grandpa, Bad Teacher, Bad Moms), but Bad Santa (at least to my knowledge) was incredibly original, and worked on so many levels.
Potential Pros:
- Personally, I love Billy Bob and pretty much anything he does, so there's that. Even if the script misfires, Billy Bob has that type of Denzel Washington factor (for me anyway) to make anything he's in watchable, and for the most part enjoyable.
- Willie T. Stokes and Marcus are simply great characters. Don't have to invent unproven funny characters.
- Kathy Bates has been solid for most of her career, generally she selects good scripts. She's funny too. Heck, even in Misery, she was a hoot at times. I loved her in About Schmidt, she has comedic chops, no doubt.
- I imagine Billy Bob and company wouldn't have returned to do a sequel 14 years later if they weren't confident in the script. Often, actors, etc., will jump into a sequel for money or what not, not long after the first one was released. Especially with comedies (i.e. Hangover movies, etc). The 14-year buffer is hopefully a good thing.
...Okay, so there are some potential pros. But...
I do wonder if the Bad Santa may have caught lightning in a bottle in some ways though, especially in regard to Thurman Merman. That kid didn't have to say a word and he was freaking hilarious. It was just blind luck in regard to casting. They saw his headshot, and that face got him the part. Now that's older, will he be funny? Or will it matter? We'll have to wait and see on that one.
I guess I just view young Thurman Merman as the straw that stirred the drink in the first one. He brought forth much humor from Billy Bob, and their relationship was pretty priceless. The sandwiches, the pep talks, etc. Then there was John Ritter and Bernie Mac (RIP to both) turning in memorable performances.
Also, the writing team of Ficarra and Requa aren't on board for this one. I'm too tired at present time to look up why not, lol. So the original director and writers aren't making Bad Santa 2...that's concerning. I enjoyed Ficarra an Requa's work on I Love You Phillip Morris, they definitely seem to have a "staple" where you can recognize their zany humor, and they make blue humor work, which isn't always easy.
So, fingers crossed for Bad Santa 2!