Elf (2003)
- During the filming of Elf, Will Ferrell improvised one of the most famous lines in the movie.
- Eagle-eyed viewers have noticed a hidden easter egg referencing Jon Favreau's previous film in the background of the opening scene.
- Before Will Ferrell was cast, several major A-list stars turned down the lead role because they felt the script was too risky.
Elf is a 2003 American Christmas comedy directed by Jon Favreau. Will Ferrell stars as Buddy, a human who was raised as an elf at the North Pole after crawling into Santa's sack as a baby. When 30-year-old Buddy, who towers over his elf peers and can't keep up with toy production, learns the truth about his origins, he travels to New York City to find his biological father Walter Hobbs, played by James Caan, a cynical children's book publisher on Santa's naughty list.
Buddy's childlike enthusiasm, complete ignorance of human social norms, and absolute commitment to Christmas cheer create chaos in Walter's rigid Manhattan life while Buddy falls for Jovie, a department store elf played by Zooey Deschanel. Will Ferrell's genius was playing Buddy with total sincerity β his childlike wonder, his delight at every New York experience ("I'm in love! I'm in love and I don't care who knows it!"), and his devastating hurt when rejected were genuinely touching because Ferrell never winked at the audience.
Elf earned $220 million worldwide on a $33 million budget and immediately became a perennial Christmas classic.
