Samara Weaving joins Jennifer Aniston in Universal’s holiday comedy Naughty
The film, directed by Olivia Wilde and set for November 2027, also stars Peter Dinklage, Regina Hall, and comedians Kate Berlant and John Early.
Samara Weaving has joined the cast of Naughty, a holiday comedy that Universal Pictures is bringing to theaters, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Written by Jimmy Warden, Naughty centers on a mother played by Jennifer Aniston who pursues an unusual path in a custody dispute: locating Santa Claus, played by Peter Dinklage, and getting him to participate in her divorce proceedings. Chase Sui Wonders and Regina Hall play the character’s close friends, while Ike Barinholtz takes the role of her ex. Weaving portrays the ex’s romantic partner. The script has been characterized by sources as Bridesmaids relocated to a arctic setting.
Behind the scenes
LuckyChap, the production company owned by Margot Robbie, Tom Ackerley, Josey McNamara and Milan Popelka, is producing the film alongside Wilde and Warden. Sara Scott, Universal’s executive vice president of production development, and Jacqueline Garell, director of production development, are overseeing the project.
The comedy duo
Kate Berlant and John Early, who joined the cast this week according to Deadline, bring a strong history of working together.
Berlant’s recent work includes The Moment, and appearances in television series. Her second comedy special, Parmesan, was released by HBO. Early wrote, directed and starred in Maddie’s Secret, which premiered as the opening night selection in the Discovery section at the 2025 Toronto Film Festival before showing at other festivals and venues including MoMA. His other recent credits include Coyote vs. Acme and the indie comedy Never Change!, as well as a role on the final season of HBO’s The Comeback.
Release and upcoming projects
Universal has set Naughty for a November 5, 2027 theatrical release. Weaving, who has three films in release this year, was recently cast as Emma Frost in Marvel’s forthcoming X-Men film, which is scheduled to shoot in the spring and summer of next year.
This article was compiled by the Glamorade editorial desk from the official announcements and reporting listed under Sources.
