In ‘Red One,’ The Rock plays a Christmas elf ‘at a crisis point’ who tracks down a kidnapped Santa Claus – Exclusive image

Forget everything you thought you knew about Christmas. According to the rules of Red One – an action film that will deck the halls in your face – Santa’s operation is almost a military one, an organized operation where the superhuman gift-giver goes to great lengths to bring joy to all the children on Christmas morning. And that includes Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as his right-hand man – meet Callum Drift, less of a Christmas elf and more of a member of the ELF

“They are not real elves,” said director Jake Kansan, who previously worked behind Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and its continuation The next leveltold Rich. “They’re the ELF, which stands for Enforcement, Logistics and Fortification.” Drift is a big believer in the festive fun – but when JK Simmons’ Santa Claus (aka Nick, no “saint” needed) is kidnapped, Drift is forced to team up with Chris Evans’ not-so-nice tracker Jack O’Malley to get the biggest day of the season back on track. “Cal has dedicated his long life to working for Nick, but he’s at a crisis point,” says Kasdan. “The world he sees around him doesn’t match the philosophy of Christmas as he’s always known it.”

Even with Drift (and O’Malley in action), this is a Santa who can absolutely take care of himself – Red OneSanta Claus is less about the mince pies and more about the muscular thighs. “If someone could actually do all the things Santa can do, how strong would he have to be?” asks Kasdan. “He has a warm heart, but he has the body of a fitness fanatic. JK is a force of nature.” Something tells us who Santa Claus is in Red One is about to get a load of coal.

To read Richis full Red One History in the 40 years Terminator Issue, available Thursday, September 26. Pre-order a copy online here. Red One will be in UK cinemas from 6 November.