Arnold Schwarzenegger, 77, shows off Santa Claus transformation as he films The Man With The Bag in NYC

Arnold Schwarzenegger continued to show off his Santa Claus transformation as he filmed The Man With The Bag in NYC this week.

The Terminator star, 77, looked near unrecognizable with a shaggy white beard, matching hair and a Christmas sweater as he strolled in the Big Apple. 

For the scene, he was also dressed in tan chinos as he joined Reacher star Alan Ritchson, 42, to film scenes in a snow plow.

Adding to the festive atmosphere in January, fake snow was falling as the actor walked down the street.

Arnold, who is renowned for his many roles in action movies, is back filming his first festive film in nearly three decades.

Arnold previously appeared in the 1996 Christmas family comedy Jingle All The Way as a workaholic father on a mission to get his son a sold-out action figure, which results in him learning the real meaning of Christmas. 

Arnold Schwarzenegger continued to show off his Santa Claus transformation as he filmed The Man With The Bag in NYC this week

Arnold Schwarzenegger continued to show off his Santa Claus transformation as he filmed The Man With The Bag in NYC this week

The former governor of California, who recently became a grandfather for the third time, joins a long list of actors that have played Jolly Old St. Nicholas, including Ben Affleck, Tim Allen, Billy Bob Thornton and Kurt Russell.

News first broke that the Hollywood legend would be starring in another Christmas comedy back in March. 

Adam Shankman is directing the Amazon MGM Studios film from a script by Allan Rice. 

The plotline reads: 'When Santa's magic bag is stolen, he turns to his naughty list to find Vance, a former thief, to help him get it back.

'Along with his daughter, Santa, and a group of misfit elves, Vance will have to pull off the greatest heist of his life to save Christmas.'

It will mark the first time that Arnie has appeared in a festive movie since Jingle All The Way in 1996.

And it will be his first film role of any kind since Terminator: Dark Fate in 2019.

He did shoot the flick Kung Fury 2 that year but it has not been released due to legal issues.

The Terminator star, 77, looked near unrecognizable with a shaggy white beard, matching hair and a Christmas sweater as he strolled in the Big Apple

The Terminator star, 77, looked near unrecognizable with a shaggy white beard, matching hair and a Christmas sweater as he strolled in the Big Apple

For the scene, he was also dressed in tan chinos as he joined Reacher star Alan Ritchson, 42, to film scenes in a snow plow

For the scene, he was also dressed in tan chinos as he joined Reacher star Alan Ritchson, 42, to film scenes in a snow plow

And he was seen in his documentary last year for Netflix.

The three-part docuseries followed Arnie's multifaceted life and career, from bodybuilding champ to Hollywood icon to politician.

Arnie played the titular character in the Terminator franchise but admitted last year that he was 'done' with the movies.

He thinks the future of the series should be passed on to other stars, added the ex of Maria Shriver.

At the time, the actor told The Hollywood Reporter: 'The franchise is not done. I'm done.

'I got the message loud and clear that the world wants to move on with a different theme when it comes to 'The Terminator'. Someone has to come up with a great idea.'

Arnie explained that he will always have happy memories of the franchise that turned him into a bona fide leading man. 

Arnold is best known for his roles in many action films, including The Terminator, and days as a bodybuilder (pictured in 1976)

Arnold is best known for his roles in many action films, including The Terminator, and days as a bodybuilder (pictured in 1976)

He said: 'The Terminator was largely responsible for my success, so I always would look at it very fondly.'

In addition to his acting career, he is father to five children: daughters Katherine, 35, and Christina, 31, and sons Patrick, 31, and Christopher, 27, and Joseph, 27. 

He shares all his children with Shriver, apart from Joseph, whose mother is Mildred Patricia Baena, his longtime housekeeper.