Doug Ellin Lands "Bad Santa 2"

"Entourage" creator Doug Ellin has signed to rewrite and possibly direct "Bad Santa 2" says Deadline.

Hot Tub Time Machine director Steve Pink, was circling the sequel last year, but apparently that is no longer the case.

"Bad Santa" star Billy Bob Thornton wants to shoot the film in the fall, but details have to be ironed out first.

The first R-rated film centred around Willie Stokes (Thornton) and his partner Marcus (Tony Cox), who pull off a yearly Christmas con.

Glenn Ficarra and John Requa penned the original, both they and director Terry Zwigoff won't be involved at all

Ellin, who recently turned in his script for the "Entourage" movie, will re-write an earlier script penned by Johnny Rosenthal.

Geyer Kosinski is producing the film.