- The holiday cult classic ‘Bad Santa’ was originally written with ‘The Sopranos’ star James Gandolfini in mind for the lead role.
- Executive producers, the Coen brothers, instructed the screenwriters to craft the script specifically in Gandolfini’s distinct rhythm.
- Other major stars like Bill Murray, Robert De Niro, and Jack Nicholson were also considered before Billy Bob Thornton landed the iconic part.
- The film was plagued with production problems, from casting difficulties to on-set drunkenness and studio-mandated reshoots.
The Bad Santa You Never Saw
Terry Zwigoff’s 2003 film *Bad Santa* has become a holiday staple for those who prefer their Christmas cheer with a heavy dose of cynicism and dark humor. Billy Bob Thornton’s portrayal of the foul-mouthed, alcoholic department store Santa, Willie, is now iconic. However, the beloved R-rated classic almost looked very different, as the role was originally intended for another legendary actor famous for playing a complex anti-hero: James Gandolfini.
A Script Written for Tony Soprano
The connection to the *Sopranos* star wasn’t just a passing thought; the entire project was initially built around him. The Coen brothers, who served as executive producers, were so convinced Gandolfini was the man for the job that they had screenwriters John Requa and Glenn Ficarra write the script specifically in his rhythm. Having just worked with Gandolfini on *The Man Who Wasn’t There*, the Coens figured he would be an easy get for the role.
Unfortunately for them, the casting never came to fruition. While we can only imagine the kind of gabagool-fueled rage Gandolfini would have brought to the role, this clip of Tony Soprano losing his temper in front of children offers a tantalizing glimpse of what might have been.
A Christmas Miracle of a Production
Securing a lead actor was just one of many hurdles the film faced. An R-rated, anti-Christmas comedy was a tough sell, with Universal passing on it before Miramax’s Bob Weinstein picked it up precisely because of its controversial nature. The production was fraught with issues that made its completion a near miracle.
Casting Nightmares and On-Set Chaos
Before Billy Bob Thornton was cast, a who’s who of Hollywood talent was considered. Robert De Niro and Bill Murray were attached at different points but backed out, with Murray reportedly ghosting the filmmakers. Sean Penn, Nicolas Cage, and Jack Nicholson were also unsuccessfully courted.
The chaos didn’t stop there. Brett Kelly, the child actor playing Thurman Merman, was sent home with chickenpox, and Thornton admitted to being legitimately drunk for some scenes. After poor test screenings, director Terry Zwigoff refused to do reshoots, leading to *Joker* director Todd Phillips stepping in for uncredited work to get the film across the finish line.
While the thought of a Gandolfini-led *Bad Santa* remains a fascinating “what if,” Thornton’s unforgettable performance cemented the film as the wonderfully degenerate classic fans know and love today.
Image Referance: https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-sopranos-star-who-bad-santa-was-written-for/