Santa sleighs way to silver screen

As Christmas approaches, Santa Claus returns to the silver screen. However, in an unfortunate turn of events, the beloved, bearded gift-giver finds himself kidnapped in the latest Hollywood film Red One.

The fantasy action comedy is set to hit Chinese theaters on Nov 8, a week ahead of its North American release.

With Dwayne Johnson as the leader of a North Pole security team, and Chris Evans as a brilliant hacker, the film follows the unlikely duo as they join forces on a globe-trotting mission to rescue the kidnapped Claus. Their goal is to ensure he is back on his reindeer sleigh in time to complete his crucial task of bringing joy to children on Christmas Eve.

Aside from Johnson and Evans, actors familiar to Chinese fans respectively for the Fast & Furious franchise and Captain America, the film also features Chinese American star Lucy Liu as the head of the Mythological Oversight and Restoration Authority, a fictional organization in charge of connecting with mythological figures.

The movie premiered at a downtown Beijing theater on Tuesday in a venue adorned with decorations, ranging from Christmas trees to a pretty sleigh.