Funnyman James Corden has found his Christmas has come early after he landed a new movie role playing Santa.
The 'Gavin & Stacey' star will play a down-on-his-luck father who "needs to find his inner Father Christmas to win back his kids" in the film 'School For Santas.
It will reunite him with writer Richard Bean - the playwright behind stage farce 'One Man, Two Guvnors', which gave James a best actor trophy at the Tony Awards - who will script the new film, being made by Working Title.
James Corden will play Santa
James, who has been shooting the movie 'One Chance', about 'Britain's Got Talent' winner Paul Potts, said: "All my life I've wanted to make a big family Christmas movie.
"To be making one with a company like Working Title Films is a dream come true."
Tim Bevan, who heads Working Title Films, said his company has "always loved Christmas and School For Santas feels like a gift".
It is due to start shooting next year in New York and London.