Sideways star Paul Giamatti has joined the cast of Vince Vaughn's Christmas comedy.
The American actor, who also featured in Cinderella Man and Planet Of The Apes, will don a curly white beard and jolly red belly to play Santa Claus, reported Empire.
Jennifer Aniston's squeeze Vaughn (pic) plays Santa's bitter older brother who is forced to move to the North Pole. The character was previously called Fred Claus, although that and the film's own name are now in flux as there was a rights clash.
The movie will see Vaughn reunite with Wedding Crashers director David Dobkin, and is tipped to be released next year.