Kurt Russell

The Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Overboard and Hateful Eight star, 67, plays Santa Claus in the Netflix holiday adventure The Christmas Chronicles (Nov. 22). It’s the story of siblings whose Christmas Eve plan to catch St. Nick on camera takes a surprising turn.

What makes Santa special?

He’s a great character. He’s 1,700 years old and still in the zeitgeist. This is not just a movie for kids any more than Harry Potter was.

Is this a modern take on Santa?

I’m not playing him as a jolly old elf. He’s a real person. If you’re not in bed when Santa comes around, that’s not a good thing. You’ve got a 14-year-old kid that’s gone past the point of believing in Santa Claus. He’s in a very rough period in his life. His father has died, and he is suddenly faced with the reality that this man is not a myth—he exists.

What are your Christmas traditions with partner Goldie Hawn?

The night before Christmas, we generally are in Colorado on a ranch. All the kids are there; it’s a family moment. We get the tree trimmed, we have Christmas dinner, we have a fire in the fireplace, and then we pick someone new each year to read “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

How proud are you of your kids?

I’m really proud. I have one son [Boston Russell] who’s in the process of getting his therapist license. Then Kate Hudson, Oliver Hudson and Wyatt Russell are all actors and doing very well, and Kate has businesses outside of that now as well.