Arnold Schwarzenegger is making his return to holiday cinema, this time stepping into the role of Santa Claus.

The actor, known for his role in the 1996 film “Jingle All the Way,” announced on Tuesday that he has begun filming “The Man With the Bag” for Amazon MGM Studios, featuring co-star Alan Ritchson (“Reacher,” “Fast X”). In a social media post, Schwarzenegger shared a snapshot of himself and Ritchson on set, showcasing his festive outfit complete with a red coat, scarf, and Christmas sweater. His gray hair is neatly styled, and he has a full gray beard.

“Santa Claus is coming to town,” wrote Schwarzenegger, 77, alongside the photo. “I’m thrilled to be shooting The Man with the Bag with @alanritchson. Our director @adamshankman is one of the funniest I’ve worked with. New York City is an incredible host, collaborating with @amazonmgmstudios is a pleasure, and I can’t wait to spread this Christmas joy to all of you.”

The casting of the actors was revealed in March, with Adam Shankman (“A Walk to Remember,” “Hairspray”) directing and Allan Rice (“Stuck in the Middle”) writing the script.

While specifics about the film remain limited during production, its plot indicates: “When Santa’s magical bag gets stolen, he enlists the help of his naughty list, seeking Vance, a reformed thief, to retrieve it. Together with his daughter, Santa, and a squad of quirky elves, Vance must execute the ultimate heist to save Christmas.”

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s last film debuted in 2019

The veteran actor, recognized for roles in “Conan the Barbarian” and “The Terminator,” last appeared in films such as “Terminator: Dark Fate” in 2019 and “Iron Mask,” which premiered in the U.S. in 2020.

In addition to his role in the Netflix docuseries “Arnold” and the action comedy “Fubar” in 2023, the former bodybuilder and California governor has dedicated the last few years to environmental advocacy through the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative.

In a conversation with YSL News last year, Schwarzenegger reflected on performing stunts in his 70s, acknowledging that his physical abilities have shifted since his younger years.

“It’s all about repetitions,” he explained regarding the stunts. “It’s about practice, practice, and more practice. That hasn’t really changed. It’s just that performing some of these stunts is more challenging than it was 40 years ago, and you might feel more sore afterwards. Age definitely plays a role.”

He noted that injuries from stunts were easier to manage when he was younger. “I’ve broken my fingers doing stunts, but we found ways to work around them,” he recalled. “It’s more difficult to do that as you age.”

“If I sense that something could seriously hurt me—causing a delay in production—I tend to avoid it,” Schwarzenegger stated. “However, I haven’t steered clear from everything. I’ve always been able to assess my limits well.”

Earlier this year, Schwarzenegger disclosed on his podcast, “Arnold’s Pump Club,” that he had surgery to insert a pacemaker to address arrhythmia after receiving treatment for a congenital heart condition affecting his bicuspid aortic valve.

He humorously remarked that his medical professionals suggested the pacemaker was necessary because they wanted “many more seasons” of “Fubar.”