On December 17, Arnold Schwarzenegger stunned fans after sharing a festive photo on Facebook, showcasing a dramatically different look from his iconic action-hero image.

In the photo, Arnold Schwarzenegger dons a bright red coat with large toggle buttons, layered over a colorful knit sweater and complemented by a long, patterned scarf. The 77-year-old actor completes the transformation with a white beard and wavy gray hair.

This look was later revealed to be part of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s role as Santa Claus in the film, “The Man with the Bag.” Standing beside him is his co-star, Alan Ritchson, casually dressed in a neutral-toned coat and dark cap, subtly contrasting Schwarzenegger’s striking seasonal look.

Facebook users were surprised by Schwarzenegger’s appearance.

“Arnie looks great with longer hair,” one user commented. Meanwhile another exclaimed, “I didn’t recognise you Arnie [sic]!”

“White beard + white hair, this is Conan finally becoming the King in my dreams, for the last chapter of the trilogy! Crom, to hell with you [sic]!” seomeone else remarked, referencing Schwarzenegger’s iconic role in “Conan the Barbarian.”

Others thought his natural gray hair suited him well. However, one had trouble recognizing him at first. “For a moment I couldn’t tell it was Arnold until I read who posted this, then I recognized ? It was the hairstyle that made him a bit unrecognizable,” the person shared.

The actor’s transformation were praised by many fans, with some saying his Austrian roots make him a natural fit for portraying Santa Claus. Others were so surprised by the photo that they initially thought it was AI-generated.

In addition to unveiling his festive look for the film, Schwarzenegger praised the film’s director, Adam Shankman for being “one of the funniest directors” he’s worked with.

More photos and a video of the actor filming the movie in various locations across New York City were also shared by Elder Ordonez. This celebrity photographer provided a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the production.

The “Commando” actor was seen waving and thanking drivers when he crossed the street, adding a touch of real-world warmth to his Santa-inspired look.

That morning filming caused traffic delays on 5th Avenue, where Schwarzenegger was spotted crossing the street and interacting with the public.

In another moment, Schwarzenegger can be seen looking serious while sharing a scene with Ritchson. The “Terminator” actor also described in his Facebook post that New York is an “amazing host,” praising its festive atmosphere as the perfect setting for the film.