JINGLE ALL THE WAY 2: On-Set Part II, and a Very Jingle Party! #JingleInsiders

Out of all the adventures that I’ve had this year (and there have been many), one of my favorites was the trip I took to the Vancouver set of JINGLE ALL THE WAY 2 back in March. When word came down that Twentieth Century Fox and WWE Studios were doing a follow-up to The Greatest Holiday Film of All-Time (the 1996 classic JINGLE ALL THE WAY), I was in. Little did I know that I’d have a chance to actually spend some time on-set with Larry the Cable Guy, WWE Superstar Santino Marella and Director Alex Zamm. With the film now available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD ahead of it’s World Television Premiere on the USA Network this Sunday as part of WWE Week, I’m sharing a few more stories from the set (read Part I of my set coverage here) along with some photos of some Jingle-themed activities we did at a family Christmas party last weekend. Ready to Jingle?

Fellow Rock Fathers – All About Family:

Like the characters in the film, both Dan Whitney (better-known as Larry the Cable Guy) and Anthony Carelli (better-known as Santino Marella) are both Dads – fellow “Rock Fathers” if you will – that are constantly working to do right by their kids. While our stories are different, there was a kinship in being thousands of miles from home, doing work while sharing stories of our children and their exploits.

Chatting with Anthony outside of Rooster’s Country Cabaret, we learned that he’s been planning for his daughter, and making sure to see her through college with a complete education prior to following creative pursuits on a professional level. Knowing that she’s already following in her dad’s footsteps with a spotlight in her future (crowned Miss Teen Ontario-World last year), Carelli spoke of actively using “Santino” as a door opener to Hollywood and beyond, with plans of being in her corner of the ring (figuratively) when the time comes to chase the silver screen. Since stepping out of in-ring action due to injury (a return may be forthcoming, though he did run SmackDown earlier this month), he’s keeping busy with his Battle Arts Academy in Mississauga, Ontario.

In-between scenes in the suburbs outside of Vancouver, we spent some time with Dan at his tour bus – his rolling home-away-from-home. He spoke highly of his wife and kids, discussing missing them while out on the road, but having just had them visit the set a week or two prior to our arrival. Being a parent causes a change in focus (something I know well), and for Dan it’s been making a conscious effort to make sure that “Larry the Cable Guy” remains family-friendly, if only so his own kids can enjoy his work. Funny enough, he noted 2008’s WITLESS PROTECTION (a movie I actually auditioned for) as being a low note of his career, where the Larry character took a more “mean-spirited” turn that wasn’t intended or appreciated. Since then, there’ve been opportunities like TOOTH FAIRY 2, ONLY IN AMERICA, and of course, JINGLE ALL THE WAY 2. And, as Dan pointed out, “Pixar is gonna be starting up again soon…” (yes, Disney-Pixar’s CARS 3 is coming). In the meantime, there’s a ton a good being done through Larry the Cable Guy’s Git-R-Done Foundation.

So What’s the Best Way to Enjoy JINGLE ALL THE WAY 2? With Family:

As part of my gig with 20th Century Fox as an FHE Insider, we got the hook-up on some cool family activities, many of which I incorporated into the annual extended family Christmas party at my Mom’s house last weekend. Already having the Blu-ray Combo Pack for ourselves, I stopped by Walmart and bought my mom their exclusive DVD edition that comes pack with a miniature Harrison Bear, and we got all the kids set-up with craft stations prior to a viewing of the film.

{source}

Ornament making… coloring sheets… Mad Libs and mazes… the little elves had a ton of fun, complete with their own Santa hats, collectible mugs and hot cocoa. 

 JINGLE ALL THE WAY 2 is available now from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment – the perfect Holiday Gift or Stocking Stuffer!

{source}