Elf is easily one of the best Christmas films – and you can fight me on that all you want, but you know it’s true – which means there’s bound to be many magical and interesting stories from behind the scenes, especially with comedic genius Will Ferrell on the loose.
So try not to be a cotton-headed ninny muggins and read on!
1. There Was Chance For A Sequel – But Will Ferrell Refused
The actor was offered a considerable amount of money to reprise the role, but apparently he just didn’t see the appeal of a middle-aged man who no longer thinks he’s an elf.
We can see where he’s coming from – who wants to see Jovie and Buddy arguing over who’s doing the washing up, after all?
2. Elf Was Turned Into A Musical
The musical was a huge hit on Broadway, with catchy songs like The Story of Buddy The Elf. I can’t imagine anybody else playing Buddy other than Ferrell, but maybe the epic songs and dancing distracted from that.
It makes perfect sense, though: after all, the best way of spreading Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!
3. Will Ferrell Actually Ate All The Sweets
Buddy’s diet was Will’s diet for the entirety of the movie. Yep, that means all the maple syrup, all the candy… Even those with a sweet tooth have to admit that it all looked VERY sickly.
Ferrell has admitted that he had A LOT of headaches and trouble sleeping – I’m not surprised!
4. Ferrell’s Reactions To The Jack-In-A-Boxes Was Completely Genuine
Jack-In-A-Boxes are a whole world of jump-scares anyway, but Will was genuinely shocked every time one popped open because he never knew when it was going to happen.
The director actually had a button he would press when he wanted Jack to pop out, so Ferrell never knew when it was coming!
5. Will Ferrell Actually Roamed Around New York In His Full Elf Costume
The iconic scenes we know and love when Buddy is playing around New York are actually genuine – he walked up to real people giving out leaflets, he walked into traffic and he had a jolly old time in the spinning doors.
All the people involved with genuine passersby who didn’t have a clue what was going on.
6. The Legendary Burp Was Real
But it wasn’t Will Ferrell who was responsible – it was dubbed over by voice actor Maurice LaMarche.
For all those of you who have been trying to do it since you first saw the film, Maurice said that he turns his tongue almost inside out to create the elongated burping noise. So keep trying!
7. The Studio Executives Didn’t Understand The Mailroom Comedy
Remember Buddy’s rather frazzled-looking drinking companion from the mailroom? The one who says he’s actually 26 years old? Apparently the big studio execs questioned the joke because the actor didn’t, in fact, look 26 years old…
Seriously, guys?! How can you not understand that that’s the joke?
8. Certain Sets Were Built Inside An Abandoned Mental Hospital
Sorry to ruin the Christmas cheer, but it’s true. Walter’s apartment and the toy department for Gimbels were sets constructed in this horror-inducing location.
The facility has also been used for sets for other movies, including Final Destination 2.
9. All The External New York Locations Were Real
All the Manhattan exteriors we know and love were genuine on-location, such as Central Park and Rockefeller Centre.
It just wouldn’t have been the same if Buddy didn’t actually go to New York, would it?
10. Will Ferrell Succeeded In Breaking James Caan’s Stern Exterior
You may have wondered if James Caan actually found anything funny during the filming for his role of Water Hobbs – as his character certainly suggests otherwise – but Ferrell succeeded in giving Caan the giggles on more than one occasion.
During the scene in the doctor’s office, Caan actually had to turn away from the camera because he started laughing (you’re going to re-watch the scene now, aren’t you?).
11. A Scene Showing Buddy Playing Elf-Hockey Was Cut From The Final Film
The scene was set at the North Pole and was supposed to demonstrate the problems Buddy was running into due to his sheer size – as you can imagine during a hockey match with tiny elves.
You can actually find the deleted scene on YouTube if you’re interested in a little more Christmas comedy.
12. The Babies Originally Supposed To Play Baby-Buddy Had To Be Fired For Crying Too Much
The original curly-haired little angels who were set to crawl around and look sweet instead decided to simply bawl their eyes out all the time. As an alternative, baby girl triplets were brought in, and they acted like true professionals.
You can’t really blame them, though… that’s what babies do.
13. Director Favreau Provided The Voice For Certain Critters
As well as playing the doctor in that iconic finger-pricking scene, Favreau also lent his voice talents to various creatures in the movie.
He provided the voice for the narwhal, and even made the noises for the rabid raccoon.
14. Originally, The Elves Were Supposed To Bully Buddy
In original script drafts, Buddy’s reasons for leaving the North Pole and trying to find his dad was because he was being bullied by all the elves for being different.
How awful! Where’s the Christmas spirit?
15. The Film Played Tribute To Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
The director was highly inspired by the stop-motion effects of the Rudolph movie, and wanted to avoid CGI as much as possible.
Even the costumes were inspired by the reindeer movie.
16. Will Ferrell Literally Stopped Traffic With His Elf Costume
During the scene when Buddy walks through the Lincoln Tunnel, drivers were actually so surprised to see a grown elf walking by in full costume that it caused a few minor traffic accidents.
A lot of people probably thought they were hallucinating, I’m sure.
17. Most Of The Snow Was Computer Generated
It may come as no surprise that the majority of the snowballs constructed by Buddy were added in later.
You can dream of a White Christmas, but it’s not always guaranteed!
18. Will Ferrell Once Worked As A Mall Santa
It seems Ferrell knows no limits when it comes to Christmas-related characters! A role he was born to play.
No wonder Buddy made such an effort to decorate when Santa was coming…
19. Jim Carrey Was Originally Intended To Play Buddy The Elf
When the script first emerged, Carrey was attached to the role – but due to the length of time it took to put the idea into action (around 10 years), Ferrell was signed instead.
Although we love Carrey, we can’t imagine anybody other than Ferrell playing our beloved Buddy <3
20. The Cotton Balls In The Doctor’s Office Were Actually White Cotton Candy
They just hadn’t been dyed yet. It still makes your teeth ache to think of eating cotton wool though, doesn’t it?
Just more sugar for Ferrell to eat!
