Two new cast members have been added to Violent Night 2, the sequel to David Harbour’s 2022 action/comedy that saw the Stranger Things star embody a gritty new take on Santa Claus. The first film was directed by Tommy Wirkola and written by Pat Casey and Josh Miller, all of whom return for the sequel.

Violent Night was a Die Hard-meets-Home Alone-esque thriller in which Harbour’s Santa Claus helped save a family held hostage by mercenaries. The “wildly entertaining” movie saw those mercenaries meet grisly ends; that, plus the fact that the family is safe by the end, suggests Violent Night 2 will need to introduce a new cast of characters.

ᴅᴇᴀᴅline has reported that Frozen’s Kristen Bell and Daniela Melchior (The Suicide Squad, Fast X) have been cast in Violent Night 2. The roles Bell and Melchior will play are, as of now, still a mystery.

What This Casting News Means For Violent Night 2

The casting of Bell and Melchior in Violent Night 2 is both unexpected and exciting, especially given the versatility of both actors. Both Bell and Melchior have proven their ability to play characters all across the moral spectrum, making them competent additions to the film.

Bell has proven her ability to handle sweetness and snark in equal measure, from her portrayal of Anna in Frozen to her time as Eleanor Shellstrop in The Good Place. Her 2024 rom-com series Nobody Wants This (which will soon have a season 2) is even an example of both.

Melchior, on the other hand, portrayed a compᴀssionate antihero in 2021’s The Suicide Squad. As Ratcatcher 2, Melchior balanced the kind of rough-around-the-edges personality that saw her character on Task Force X in the first place while also making her one of the movie’s most compelling personalities.

Our Take On The Violent Night 2 Casting Announcement

I’ve been trying to predict whether Bell and Melchior will play protagonists or villains in Violent Night 2, and I can’t figure it out. Personally, I think either actor would be a fantastic antagonist in the upcoming movie, either as the leader of another batch of trained killers or–hear me out–the movie’s twisted take on Mrs. Claus.

Think about it; the Violent Night writers have teased more Viking backstory for the sequel and said they “don’t want Santa just trapped in a mansion again.” What better way to accomplish that than to bring a figure from Claus’ Viking past to the modern era?

Both Bell and Melchior could easily handle that role, and although Vikings are often portrayed to be blonde (like Bell), that stereotype is not historically accurate, meaning it would work just as well if Melchior took on the role. We’ll see what happens when Violent Night 2 arrives next year.