Tim Allen: Santa Claus role reprisal in ‘The Santa Clauses’ was ‘arduous and magical’
Finale premieres Wednesday, Dec. 14 on Disney+
After 2006’s “The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause,” actor/comedian Tim Allen, an alumnus of Seaholm High School in Birmingham and Western Michigan University, believed he was done playing Santa Claus.
However, Disney General Entertainment Content chairwoman Dana Walden approached Allen about reprising Santa in “The Santa Clauses,” a six-part mini-series currently airing on Disney+. Its finale premieres Wednesday, Dec. 14.
“There’s a bridge between TV episodes and movies. I said, ‘Look, just frame it for me as chapters of a book.’ It’s about the clauses about the Clauses — it’s a double entendre, if you will,” said Allen, 69, of Los Angeles, also known for the longrunning sitcoms “Home Improvement” and “Last Man Standing,” as well as the “Toy Story” franchise.
Allen’s time as Santa began with 1994’s “The Santa Clause.” In it, Santa (Steve Lucescu, Allen’s stunt double) falls off the roof of Scott Calvin’s (Allen) house and vanishes. Scott then becomes the new Santa.
In “Clauses,” Allen wanted to address the following questions: What happened to the previous Santa? Why didn’t the elves ever ask about him? Were there other Mrs. Clauses?
“The writers listened and came up with some really beautiful idea,” he said. “It ends this question about the Clauses. It had to readjust, answer some questions, point towards the future, entertain kids and families. It’s not rocket science… By the time (the writers) finished the script, (the crew) had very little time to (create) costumes for all the elves and the sets. It was like a war zone the way the crew worked to get it to look like it does. It was startling how beautiful this thing looked, given how little time we were given to do this.”
Playing Santa is a great responsibility for Allen.
“It’s overwhelming for the comedian in me that’s a smart ass because I like to make jokes. In the first one, I was definitely a smart ass around the kids,” he said. “Eventually, the weight of the cloak, if you will… you have to give it its due. The reason I say that is there were times — certainly this one — when I walked onto the set in full regalia… (and) the crew (regardless of their ages) got
very quiet. There was no doubt that costume and the way they presented it affects people. It has very little to do with me. I honor it. I become that guy… it becomes organic. In the suit, I think I’m a better actor than out of it. I’m overwhelmed when I saw the look on people’s faces.”
Allen enjoyed working with Elizabeth Mitchell, alias Mrs. Claus, again.
“Where did the years go? She doesn’t seem to age… It was startling how quickly we got right back into it as Mr. and Mrs. Claus. She just jumped right in 100% — it was unbelievable,” he said.
He also spoke about the best parts about this mini-series. For starters, it took less time to put on the Santa makeup and costume. He also worked with his daughter, Elizabeth Allen-Dick, 13. Allen insisted he had nothing to do with her getting cast as Sandra Claus, Santa’s daughter.
“By herself, she read dialogue, which impressed the studio and the casting people that she ended up getting the job,” he said. “Every time on set, I would gravitate between ‘This is a gifted young actor’ and ‘It’s my daughter’… Every time I bring it up, none of it makes any sense… She’s a brilliant part of the show — that’s my kid I’m working with. It’s difficult to describe because I didn’t see it coming. It was both a surprise to her mom (Jane Hajduk) and I. We weren’t completely thrilled about her getting into the acting business because she’s so good at athletics and at school; we’d like her to stay that way.”
Allen said it was “arduous and magical” to play Santa again.
“The reward alone was when we saw the premiere. All of us were like, ‘Damn!’” he said. “It was put together so well, I have nothing but respect for everyone involved.”
He also wanted to acknowledge his Michigan roots.
“You don’t have any idea what a beautiful place you’re in until you step away from it,” he said. “My adopted state of California is a great (comparison) to see what a beautiful place I come from, so a shout-out and happy holidays to everybody in Michigan.”