Samara Weaving has signed on to join the cast of "Naughty," Universal's holiday comedy that has already lined up Jennifer Aniston to star and Olivia Wilde to direct, USA Film News has confirmed. Weaving joins a call sheet that also includes Peter Dinklage, Chase Sui Wonders, Regina Hall and Ike Barinholtz. The film is scheduled for release on November 5, 2027.
Aniston leads the picture as Mallory, a mother whose custody fight takes an unexpected turn. According to the official synopsis, Mallory's only path to securing custody of her son from her ex is to track down Santa Claus himself and persuade him to testify at her divorce hearing. That premise puts the film in the company of a long line of holiday comedies that mix family stakes with a bit of magic, though the courtroom angle gives it a distinctly different hook. Dinklage is set to play Santa Claus.
The project is in development at Universal, and details about Weaving's role have not been made public. The film is being tagged across several genres, including drama, adventure, fantasy and comedy, which suggests a broad tonal range beyond straightforward seasonal laughs. Wilde is directing, marking another step in a filmmaking career that has moved steadily from acting into features.
A Cast That Balances Star Power and Character Comedy
The ensemble is an unusual mix for a holiday studio film. Aniston brings decades of romantic-comedy experience and an audience built on television and features alike. Dinklage, cast against type as Santa Claus, gives the premise an irreverent edge on paper. Regina Hall and Ike Barinholtz add proven comic credentials, while Chase Sui Wonders represents a younger generation of screen talent.
Weaving's addition continues a busy stretch for the Australian-American actress, who has become a fixture in genre and darkly comic material over the past decade. She first drew wide attention in the horror comedy "The Babysitter" and broke through further with "Ready or Not," a thriller-comedy that leaned heavily on her range between panic and defiance. She has since appeared in "Scream VI," "Babylon," "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" and "Bill & Ted Face the Music," and she is part of the ensemble of the upcoming "The Queen Mary." Her filmography makes her an easy fit for a project that straddles fantasy and comedy, and her presence broadens the film's appeal to younger viewers who may not turn out for Aniston alone.
Holiday Release Strategy and the Road Ahead
Universal has planted the film in early November, a slot that has often served holiday-themed releases well by letting them build momentum through Thanksgiving and into December. The date puts "Naughty" more than a year out from today, giving the production ample runway. Filming timelines and further casting have not been announced.
The studio has not disclosed a budget, a production start, or details on how the visual effects-heavy Santa elements will be handled. TMDb currently lists the film with a 0/10 rating, which reflects a title that has not yet been scored by audiences rather than any critical judgment. Runtime remains unknown.
What is clear is that "Naughty" is assembling a cast with range. Aniston's everywoman charm, Dinklage's gravitas, Hall's comic timing and Weaving's knack for off-kilter material give Wilde a deep bench to work with. Whether the film leans into sincere family drama or plays the custody-and-Santa premise for absurdity will determine much of its appeal. The synopsis suggests it will try to do both.
For Weaving, the role adds another studio project to a résumé that has stayed deliberately varied. For Universal, the film represents a bet that a holiday comedy with a courtroom twist and an ensemble of recognizable faces can stand out in a crowded November corridor. Audiences will get their answer when "Naughty" arrives in theaters on November 5, 2027.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
