Violent Night 2 casts two new actors for brand new roles

Violent Night 2 is raising the stakes with two unexpected new additions to their cast: AEW star Maxwel Jacob Friedman, better known as MJF and internet comedian turned actor Andrew "King Bach" Bachelor. Reported by Deadline, both the actors are joining the star studded ensemble of Violent Night 2 that includes David Harbour, Kristen Bell and Joe Pantoliano among others.

MJF is well known in the wrestling world as one of the biggest Heels in the sport. The former AEW champion is now turning to acting after boasting of a pro wrestling career that has cemented his reputation in the wrestling world. As he steadily crosses over to film, MJF has a few projects under his radar such as Iron Claw, a voice role in Justice League x RWBY, and a credited turn in Happy Gilmore 2.

King Bach is from an entirely different world. A vine prodigy turned Hollywood regular, Andrew Bachelor played viral comedy into steady screen work. He has previously worked on Coffee and Kareem, The Babysitter: Killer Queen, Holidate, Love, Weddings and other Disasters and The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2

It's not yet clear what roles they would be playing as shooting for the film started just a few days before, on September 2nd. In time, we would certainly know more about the film's premise and what the stars are bringing to their characters.

More details about Violent Night 2

Violent Night 2 is officially in the pipeline, now cooking under Universal’s holiday wing for a December 4, 2026 release. Reprising his role as the brutish Claus, David Harbour heads a cast expanded with surprising new faces: Daniela Melchior and Kristen Bell were added in August 2025, followed in September by the additions of Jared Harris, Joe Pantoliano, AEW superstar Maxwell “MJF” Friedman, and Andrew “King Bach” Bachelor.

Behind the scenes, producers Kelly McCormick and David Leitch (working with Universal under their 87North banner) have been quietly orchestrating the sequel ever since the first film’s success. Writers Pat Casey and Josh Miller returned, scripting a story infused with a “western influence,” nodding homage to Miracle on 34th Street (1947) while keeping that signature, grimly festive action intact. David Harbour hinted as early as March 2024 that production could start in early 2025, timing permitting, and by year’s end, the script was being polished for a sleigh ride straight to the cameras.

Violent Night 2 promises explosive genre mashups, a brutal Western spirit in a yuletide wrapper, arming Saint Nick with even more grit, new allies (and maybe rival chaos), and the cold, dark humor anybody who survived the first movie already craves.