Tim Allen is going to pass on a viewing of “Violent Night.”
The “Home Improvement” alum, who is known for his portrayal of Saint Nick in his “The Santa Claus” film franchise, prefers watching more wholesome, family holiday movies — like his own.
“I can’t watch another Santa Claus movie. Especially when they’re bad Santas,” Allen, 70, told The Post in a joint interview with his daughter, Elizabeth Allen-Dick, while promoting “The Santa Clauses.”
“I know there are people that like the ugly Santa movies but sometimes I’m like, ‘Eh, I don’t know if I like bad Santas.’ You know, dressed up with knives and stabbing,” he added. “I don’t like that.”
The comedian stepped into Santa’s shoes as Scott Calvin in 1994’s “The Santa Clause,” going on to make two more films and his Disney+ series, which is now in its second season.
While other actors (Ed Asner in “Elf,” Richard Attenborough in “Miracle on 34th Street” and Kurt Russell in “The Christmas Chronicles”) have played a light-hearted Kriss Kringle, David Harbour and Billy Bob Thornton have taken on darker versions in 2022’s “Violent Night” and 2003’s “Bad Santa,” respectively.
“I’m not judging other shows,” Allen insisted. “[But] this started with a director named John Pasquin, who added heart to Scott Calvin. So it wasn’t just a comedy. It really put another layer onto this about his family and about what he is. And as we’ve opened up and answered the questions, it wasn’t a mistake that Scott Calvin was picked.”
“And that Santa, as we find out in last season, he didn’t die when he slid off the roof. He turned back in and they had decided — the legendary figures and the Santa Clause — to turn him into Santa Clause,” he continued. “So it’s his personality that is necessary. You needed this guy. Christmas needed this guy. And I love all that.”
He added: “He’s aware of the magic that he’s in. … The magic is there. The humanness is really, really responsive.”
For Allen, having Scott show his “emotional” side and “flaws” in the films and series has made him standout.
“I mean, clearly, he’s pretty perfect,” he went on, joking. “The actor, I was able to bring the perfection out of this guy.”
Last year, the “Last Man Standing” alum elaborated on what he wanted to bring to the character.
“My goal was as always to bring a smile and an internal connection to these projects,” he told UPI at the time. “I was humbled and continue to be humbled at the connection and affection these iconic roles brought to families everywhere.”
“I am but a part of the magic created by so many who dedicate so much time and love to bringing magic to the screen.”
And each year he’s reminded just how special the franchise continues to be with audiences.
“People will see me out and they’ll point to their children, ‘This is Santa Claus!’” he told ABC Audio in 2022.
“This whole thing becoming a part of every season, to be Santa Claus, is formidable and gratifying and humbling,” he said. “There is no word for it that, all of a sudden, this [has become] one of those movies like ‘A Christmas Story’ and ‘Miracle [on 34th Street]’. It’s in that group.”
“The Santa Clauses” drops new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+.
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