Dear Santa Star Is Quietly Having A Huge December Thanks To New Disney+ Star Wars Show With 96% On Rotten Tomatoes

One of Dear Santa's main actors has recently made their debut in a huge franchise on Disney+, making their December 2024 even more impressive. Despite a disappointing rating of just 22% on Rotten Tomatoes, the Dear Santa cast has still managed to entertain swathes of people on Paramount+, but one figure from the movie has had far more success in a project on another platform.

Although Dear Santa's ending teases a possible sequel, a follow-up movie hasn't yet been greenlit. This isn't surprising, as Paramount+ will likely want to monitor the movie's performance throughout the holiday season before deciding whether to go ahead and commission a follow-up. Although Dear Santa hit Paramount+ in late November, the Christmas movie's popularity has understandably ballooned in December as the big day approaches. Jack Black is brilliant as Asmodeus in Dear Santa, but his co-star has been given the chance to shine even brighter this month.

Robert Timothy Smith Plays Liam Turner In 2024's Dear Santa & Neel In Star Wars: Skeleton Crew

Smith's December is festive & action-packed

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Robert Timothy Smith's acting career is only just getting going. However, the young star has been starting to snag bigger and bigger roles, as proven by his presence not only in Dear Santa, but also by appearing as part of the main cast of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew. Smith's small but impressive acting history means it's forgivable not to recognize him on sight just yet, but Skeleton Crew makes it especially difficult to pick him out by covering him in prosthetics. Smith plays Neel in Disney+'s latest Star Wars show, which premiered its first two episodes on December 3.

Neel's species in Star Wars: Skeleton Crew is original to the show, and the name of his race has yet to be revealed. He is not Ortolan, as some fans have speculated.

Smith's big December was foreshadowed in September when he appeared as part of the Wolfs cast alongside Hollywood legends Brad Pitt and George Clooney. It may only have been a small part, but it also brought Smith back to acting after not appearing in anything since an episode of Mythic Quest in 2021. While it's great for him to star alongside Jack Black in Dear Santa, Smith's Skeleton Crew role is a much bigger deal. Although his face is hidden, being a part of the Star Wars universe could keep him busy for years.

Skeleton Crew's Success Makes Up For Dear Santa's Lukewarm Reception

The new Star Wars show is already receiving some very favorable comparisons

Fun and festive as it might be, Dear Santa is still very far from the list of best Christmas movies of all time, or even in recent history. Reviews have been mixed, but the film has performed better with fans than it has with critics. On the other hand, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew has been met with far greater acclaim, with comparisons to Steven Spielberg's classic coming-of-age movies from decades gone by. So, although Dear Santa will likely be forgotten in a few years, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew is a huge hit for Smith.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Release Schedule On Disney+ Episode Title Release Date 1 "This Could Be a Real Adventure" December 3, 2024 2 "Way, Way Out Past the Barrier" December 3, 2024 3 "Very Interesting, As an Astrogation Problem" December 9, 2024 4 TBA December 16, 2024 5 TBA December 24, 2024 6 TBA December 31, 2024 7 TBA January 7, 2025 8 TBA January 14, 2025