Other Titles • The Santa Clause 2 • The Escape Clause: The Santa Clause 2 (2002) • The Mrs. Clause: Santa Clause 2 (2001) • SC2 (2002) • The Santa Clause 2: The Escape Clause (2001) • The Santa Clause 2: The Mrs. Clause (2002) • Santa Clause 2 - Eine noch schönere Bescherung (2002)
Returning to make a sequel after eight years might have posed some problems with casting, but this aspect of the production had its own serendipity. "It’s been wonderful seeing the Miller family – Judge Reinhold, Wendy Crewson and Eric Lloyd – comeback together after all this time," says executive producer William Wilson. "Particularly Eric, who was eight the first time around and is sixteen now. The interaction between them all is so very comfortable. They’re having a lot of fun together. And the family has grown – the Millers now have a young daughter named Lucy, played by Liliana Mumy."
"We all had such fun on the first film, and got really excited for the second one. I don’t think anybody said, ‘Gee, I don’t think I can do ‘Santa Clause 2,’" says Wendy Crewson, who reprises her role as Laura, Santa’s ex-wife.
However, there have been changes. "The last time everybody saw me, I was about four feet tall," laughs Eric Lloyd, who plays Santa’s son, Charlie. "So, of course, nobody recognized me. But it’s been awesome seeing everybody again."
David Krumholtz, who plays Bernard, Santa’s Head Elf, was sixteen when the original "The Santa Clause" was made. "It’s been wonderful for me," says Krumholtz. "Just when I thought my childhood was over, I got to relive who I was at sixteen." Krumholtz, at 24, thinks that the new Bernard benefits from the maturity he brings to the role. "I’m a much more complex actor, for better or for worse," Krumholtz muses. "Personally, I’ve become more compassionate. I was a tough little sixteen-year-old playing a rather surly elf. Bernard has more heart this time around."
Although their on-screen relationship is testy to say the least, Krumholtz can’t say enough good things about his co-star, Spencer Breslin, who plays Curtis, Santa’s Number Two Elf. "Spencer is quite astonishing," says Krumholtz. "Not only is he naturally funny, he is truly a compassionate young man who understands humility and generosity with his fellow actors. He’s become the little brother I never had."
"He’s a man-child," says producer Brian Reilly. "Is he nine? Is he ninety? There’s no way to know. He has an old soul."
Curtis is one of the eldest elves at 900 years. When asked how he portrays Curtis’ advanced age, Breslin replies, "I act mature. That’s all.
"Joining the cast is Elizabeth Mitchell, who plays the principal at Charlie’s school who catches Santa’s eye. "They say that the best romantic comedies involve two people who come together despite having many obstacles in their way. Falling in love with somebody who you think is a mythical character – I’d say that’s a pretty big obstacle," she laughs.
Tim Allen was thrilled with the idea of reprising his role as St. Nick, as well as adding a new character – a plastic faux Claus – even though it meant he would spend a number of days in prosthetic makeup. Alec Gillis and Tom Woodruff Jr., of Amalgamated Dynamics Inc., who masterminded the special makeup and animatronic character effects for the original "The Santa Clause," happily came back to do it again. Both the Santa and the Toy Santa characters required the application of pre-molded and pre-painted soft foam latex prosthetics that took from 3-4 hours to apply.
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