Jason Momoa is set to play Frosty the Snowman in a new movie based on the classic Christmas tale. Thanks to his role as Aquaman in the DCEU, Momoa has become one of the biggest action heroes around and one of the most sought-after stars in Hollywood.

Long before he took on the role of Aquaman, Momoa demonstrated his action hero potential in everything from Stargate: Atlantis to the 2011 remake of Conan the Barbarian. But of course his big breakthrough came when he tackled the role of Khal Drogo, the Dothraki husband of Daenerys Targaryen, in Game of Thrones. It wasn’t long before the DCEU came calling, debuting Momoa as Aquaman (very briefly) in Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice before expanding his role for Justice League. Finally, Momoa’s Aquaman got the standalone treatment in 2018’s blockbuster action epic.

Now, Momoa will tackle a role that seemingly could not be farther from Aquaman, as he prepares to voice iconic Christmastime character Frosty the Snowman in a new movie from Warner Bros. (via Deadline). Said producer Greg Silverman in a statement about Momoa’s casting, “We know Jason’s as a true human being filled with love, compassion and a deep connection to ohana… all of which is the living spirit of Xmas and Frosty.” Elf screenwriter David Berenbaum is penning the script for the movie, which is reported to be a CGI/live-action hybrid.


Of course, the tale of Frosty, a snowman who comes to life thanks to a magical hat, began with a popular 1950 song first recorded by cowboy singer Gene Autry and later covered by Jimmy Durante. Frosty’s life as something more than a Christmas song character began in 1969 when Rankin/Bass Productions made the now-classic Christmas show Frosty the Snowman starring Durante as the narrator and Jackie Vernon as Frosty. Three sequels followed, the last being 2005’s The Legend of Frosty the Snowman, but none of them had the impact of the original. There was also a 1992 animated special called Frosty Returns starring John Goodman as Frosty.

Given his booming career as an action star, Momoa doesn’t necessarily feel like an obvious choice to play Frosty the Snowman (unless the plan is to make Frosty into some kind of Christmastime superhero). But it’s clear that Momoa wants to stretch his acting muscles beyond the realm of superheroes and voicing one of the most beloved of all holiday characters is definitely one way to do that. Of course, it’s natural to ask why the world needs a new version of Frosty the Snowman when the 1969 TV special still holds up as a classic the whole family can enjoy, but perhaps this new CG/live-action spin on the tale will add something fresh and unexpected that makes Frosty an even-more-beloved figure.