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And now for the Billy Bob Thornton news you've really been waiting for.

Christmas 2013 is shaping up to be a very special time indeed as we'll be witnessing not only Peter Jackson's second chapter of "The Hobbit" but also the further adventures of Willie T. Stokes, according to The Playlist.

Billy Bob Thornton revealed that the long-in-development "Bad Santa 2" will begin shooting this fall with a look toward being wrapped in time for next year's holiday season. Details on the plot are being kept a secret, but we can only imagine the sequel will set new standards for holiday raunch.

"Bad Santa 2" will hit theaters ten years after the release of the original film, which chronicled the misadventures of Willie T. Stokes (Thornton), a foul-mouthed, hard-drinking mall Santa who spends every Christmas Eve robbing the shopping center that employs him, assisted by his "Santa's Elf" sidekick, Marcus (Tony Cox). The film went on to become a "non-traditional" Christmas classic for those who won't go near "It's a Wonderful Life."

Thornton revealed the news at the Berlin Film Festival, where he's promoting his new film, "Jayne Mansfield's Car." Just yesterday he announced his plans to direct, co-write and star in "And Then We Drove," an "ethereal" road movie inspired by his wild and crazy relationship with his ex-wife, Angelina Jolie.

"Bad Santa 2" is the best piece of coal we could ever hope to get for Christmas -- stay tuned for more details as they emerge from the run-down North Pole set at the mall.