Fred Claus (Vince Vaughn) has lived his entire life in his brother's very large shadow. Fred tried, but could hardly live up to the example set by the younger Nicholas (Paul Giamatti), who was just a perfect...well...saint. True to form, Nicholas grew up to be the model of giving, while Fred became the polar opposite: a fast-talking repo man who's run out of luck and money. Over Mrs. Claus' objections, Nicholas agrees to help his brother on one condition: that he come to the North Pole and earn the money he needs by working in Santa's workshop. The trouble is that Fred isn't exactly elf material and, with Christmas fast approaching, Fred could jeopardize the jolliest holiday of the year.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents a Silver Pictures Production, in association with David Dobkin Pictures and Jessie Nelson Productions, a Film by David Dobkin, "Fred Claus." The film is directed by David Dobkin ("Wedding Crashers") from a screenplay by Dan Fogelman ("Cars"), story by Jessie Nelson ("I Am Sam") and Dan Fogelman. Joel Silver, Jessie Nelson and David Dobkin produced the film, with Paul Hitchcock serving as executive producer and Vince Vaughn co-producing.

"Fred Claus" stars Vince Vaughn ("Wedding Crashers"), Paul Giamatti ("Sideways"), Miranda Richardson ("Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"), John Michael Higgins ("The Break-Up"), Elizabeth Banks ("Spider-Man 3"), with Rachel Weisz ("The Constant Gardener"), with Kathy Bates ("Failure to Launch") and Kevin Spacey ("Superman Returns").

The behind-the-scenes creative team includes director of photography Remi Adefarasin, production designer Allan Cameron, editor Mark Livolsi and costume designer Anna Sheppard. The music is by Christophe Beck.

"Fred Claus" will be released by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. This film has been rated "PG" by the MPAA for "mild language and some rude humor." Soundtrack Album on Warner Bros. Records.


1. Here Comes Fred Claus...
The inspiration for the story of "Fred Claus" came from a simple question asked by the then eight-year-old daughter of writer-producer Jessie Nelson. "Molly asked me one day, `Does Santa Claus have a family?'" explains Nelson. The question sparked the filmmaker's imagination and ignited a story idea that became "Fred Claus."  More..


2. Claus at Odds: Fred vs. Santa
"Fred Claus is a very unusual character. He's both the antagonist and the protagonist," states Dobkin. "You know he's something of a troublemaker, but somehow you still find a way to root for him because he's the one in the family who's been overlooked. He carries that pain, and, of course, there's comedy that comes from that pain." More...


3. Fred's Friends and Neighbors
Santa, Annette and Mama Claus are not the only ones who have been disappointed by Fred. Wanda, Fred's soon-to-be ex-girlfriend, played by Academy Award-winning actress Rachel Weisz, is on the verge of calling their relationship quits after being stood up by Fred on her birthday-just one more example of Fred's irresponsibility. More...

Continue: 1 2