In Fatman, Mel Gibson – an actor whose controversial past doesn’t exactly lend itself to the adjective of “jolly” – plays an angry, alcoholic Santa Claus forced to go into partnership with the US Army after his own business dries up. And no, I’m not talking about a Billy Bob Thornton-styled “bad Santa” you find at the mall. Gibson’s Chris Cringle is the real deal, complete with elves and reindeer. Oh and an assassin trying to kill him. It seems Santa is going from sleighing to slaying this Christmas!*
That’s the absurd premise in the upcoming dark action comedy from sibling writer-director duo Esholm and Ian Nelms, and it’s definitely something! As a comic book geek myself I have to point that this idea borrows more than just a few points from the classic Lobo Paramilitary Christmas Special released in 1992 in which the DC Comics antihero is hired by a drunk, jealous Easter Bunny to kill Santa… which he does after a vicious knife fight.
There’s no inebriated Easter bunny here, though things are no less ridiculous as the aforementioned contract killer, played by the always brilliant Walton Goggins, is hired by a spoiled rich brat (Good Boys’ Chance Hurstfield) who received nothing but a lump of coal in his Christmas stocking and now wants revenge. “I’ve come for your head, fatman!” Goggins’ assassin tells Gibson’s gun-happy Santa, to which the latter replies: “You think you’re the first? You think I got this job because I’m fat and jolly?” Ho-ho-holy crap! Check out the first trailer below.
Fatman also stars Chance Hurstfield and Marianne Jean-Baptiste, and is scheduled for release on VOD platforms on 13 November.
*If this isn’t the official tagline on the poster then what the hell are you even doing, Hollywood?!
Last Updated: October 8, 2020
MechMachine
October 8, 2020 at 12:13
Seems about right for 2020.
Ant Visagie
October 8, 2020 at 12:48
“In Fatman, Mel Gibson – an actor whose controversial past doesn’t exactly lend itself to the adjective of “jolly” – plays an angry, alcoholic Santa Claus forced to go into partnership with the US Army after his own business dries up”
When art imitates life. I still like Mel Gibson though at least he’s not diddling kids like most of Hollywood [removed by site]
Gavin Mannion
October 8, 2020 at 13:33
Yeah no, racism and anti-Semitism are both awful…
Gavin Mannion
October 8, 2020 at 13:33
Yeah no, racism and anti-Semitism are both awful…
Ant Visagie
October 8, 2020 at 13:33
Compared to paedophilia? Paedophiles are worse than racists or anti-Semites.
Gavin Mannion
October 8, 2020 at 13:33
They are in deed, but saying you are against paedophiles but are fine with racists is a line we don’t support.
Which is why I left your “against paedophile” part alone
Ant Visagie
October 8, 2020 at 13:52
Yeah, they don’t bother me. Dumb and prejudiced people exist all over the world and the most racist have always been people hiding behind nonracialism.
In the great scheme of things, Mel Gibson’s thought crime harmed no one. He made a few off-color jokes and he punchedup regarding the jews in Hollywood, but it didn’t harm anyone. No one went to him and asked him why do you hold these views? Was it because of his catholic faith? Was it because everyone he dealt within the production houses were jewish? Did they mistreat him? People don’t just do things out of the blue. There’s always a reason, like how white people move to the other sidewalk when I walk towards them. Is it because I dress like a hip-hopper? Do they think I’m in a gang?
Banana Jim
October 8, 2020 at 18:16
To be fair though, and this is purely because I grew up in South Africa, but racist folk can do a fair bit of harm to people. We had a form of legislated racism that outlasted what was deemed normal by the rest of the world by a good couple of decades. Many countries (especially former colonies) had racial laws that kept large proportions of people subjugated, and that subjugation has affected how those societies evolved.
Mel Gibson’s rants had probably more to do with the fact that he grew up in Australia than being “abused” by a Mr Goldstein. The aussies may seem like the beacon of civilisation now, but not too long ago, they had the White Australia Policy (which was a way to keep non-whites from immigrating to Australia) and the whole Stolen Generation debacle which must have screwed up aboriginal family structures….
I like that you have a thick skin about being profiled on the streets, but not everyone will feel the same, and nor should they.
Rant over! Aaahhh! Time for tea.
For the Emperor!
October 9, 2020 at 08:52
“the most racist have always been people hiding behind nonracialism” – while an over generalization, this is being proven more by those with their “white savior” complex who treat other races as incapable of helping themselves. At least the right-wing racists and “phobes” are open about it. The “white savior” people do more damage than the right-wing with their “help” these days…*not saying right-wingers didn’t do their share in the past or now, just implying they found a “safe haven” for their views on the “left”.*
Banana Jim
October 8, 2020 at 18:16
I’m not in favour of the death penalty or even torture, but there are two groups of people where I think you should be allowed to slowly drown them in the shallows…..
….and that’s pedos and pedo-apologists.
Banana Jim
October 8, 2020 at 18:16
LOL! You got censored? Damn son, you’re now among an elite club of posters on Clatz. What did you write? No, don’t tell me. I’ll just imagine it. 😀
BradeLunner
October 8, 2020 at 13:52
Ho ho holy crap better be in the movie now. It’s what I’ll be wishing everyone this Christmas
Ant Visagie
October 8, 2020 at 13:52
Santa’s got a little gift for you. One shotgun slug of justice
LekeJ.I.T.S
October 8, 2020 at 17:42
Just saw the name Walton Goggins then I was sold. He and Mel going at each other should be fun lol
For the Emperor!
October 9, 2020 at 08:52
Looks like something I can watch on one of those “I don’t want to think, just enjoy” nights.