Elf may have been released 17 years ago, but it’s still very much a popular movie to watch in the build up to Christmas.
The film stars Will Ferrell as Buddy Hobbs, also known as Buddy the Elf, an eccentric human who was raised by Santa’s elves.
After learning that he was adopted, Buddy heads to New York City to meet his biological father while also attempting to spread Christmas cheer in a world full of cynics.
The movie, which was directed by Jon Favreau, is jam-packed with memorable – and hilarious – scenes and also stars James Caan, Zooey Deschanel and Mary Steenburgen.
Here’s 11 things you may not know about one of the most loved Christmas films…
Will Ferrell stars as Buddy in hit 2003 Christmas movie Elf (Image: PA)
1. Jim Carrey could have been Buddy the Elf
Hollywood actor Jim Carrey was originally going to play the role of Buddy the Elf, but timing meant it didn’t happen.
The script for Elf was written back in 1993, and screenwriter David Berenbaum had the Liar Liar actor in mind for the role.
However, it took ten years to get the project up and running and by then things had changed and Will Ferrell ended up in the role.
Jim Carrey was first considered for the role of Buddy the Elf when the script was written in 1993 (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
2. Will Ferrell was sick on set
The scene when Buddy eats different candies and pastries with the spaghetti noodles had to be shot twice, because Will Ferrell vomited the first time filming it.
The 53-year-old actor suffered from headaches throughout filming, as he had to actually eat all of the sugary foodstuffs in the Elf food pyramid on camera.
He said in an interview: “That was tough. I ingested a lot of sugar in this movie and I didn’t get a lot of sleep. I constantly stayed up. But anything for the movie, I’m there. If it takes eating a lot of maple syrup, then I will—if that’s what the job calls for.”
Will suffered with headaches throughout filming due to eating lots of sugary food (Image: Netflix)
3. Will stopped a lot of traffic
On the final day of shooting in New York City, it was just director Jon Favreau, Will Ferrell, and a camera man driving around the city looking for locations to shoot.
They would jump out and ask pedestrians if they would be willing to be extras for some quick cash, while Will paraded around acting like Buddy.
Much of the montage when Buddy first arrives in New York City was filmed then, such as when he is getting his shoes shined, and jumping between traffic.
During filming, not only did Will stop a lot of traffic as he walked through the Lincoln Tunnel in his costume, but he also reportedly caused a few minor accidents.
Zooey Deschanel portrays the role of department store worker Jovie (Image: UGC)
4. Music was added because of Zooey Deschanel
Director Jon Favreau said much of the music in the film was added when he realised what a great singer Zooey Deschanel was.
Zooey, who plays the role of Jovie, performs three songs in this film.
One of them is Baby, It’s Cold Outside, which she sings in the shower accompanied by Will, and then sings again with Leon Redbone over the end titles.
She later made an official recording with her indie duo She & Him, released on their album, A Very She & Him Christmas, released in 2011.
5. Director Jon Favreau made a cameo
Jon, 54, is no stranger to appearing in his own movies – and Elf was no exception.
The US star played the role of the doctor in Elf, and also provided the narwhal voice.
6. Some of the sets were built in an abandoned mental hospital
The old mental hospital in Vancouver provided the set for Walter’s apartment and some scenes from Gimbals toy department.
It’s called Riverview Hospital, and it looks familiar because it’s also been used in other movies and TV shows such as The X Files, Final Destination 2, Jennifer’s Body and See No Evil 2.
Manhattan department store Macy’s was used to recreate Gimbels toy store (Image: Getty Images)
7. Macy’s stood in for Gimbels toy store
The famous Macy’s department store takes up a whole block in Manhattan and in Elf it was digitally altered to look like Gimbels.
Gimbels was actually a real department store once upon a time and a rival for Macy’s.
Gimbels is seen here and in fellow Christmas movie, Miracle on 34th Street, but it closed its doors in 1987 in its 100th year and the site is now the Manhattan Mall.
8. Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer was a big influence
The stop motion Christmas special from 1964 influenced director Jon, who wanted the same winter wonderland feel.
The elves costumes were inspired by the elves in the Reindeer movie.
Elf’s workshop was also modelled after the Rankin/Bass designs.
The team got permission for the links and was given permission to use the signature snowman.
Will turned down $29 million to star in a sequel to Elf
9. Will didn’t provide the epic burp
Buddy’s twelve-second belch was supplied by voice actor Maurice LaMarche, who is best-known for his cartoon character The Brain, from Pinky and the Brain.
Maurice also did the operatic belching in 1993’s Animaniacs (1993) as The Great Wakarotti, and he’d also previously worked with Will on the animated series, The Oblongs, in 2001.
10. They fired baby Buddy
The little elf was originally going to be played by twin boys, both with blonde curly hair.
There was one issue though, they couldn’t perform. The team wanted them to smile and crawl on cue, but they cried, all. the. time.
Brunette triplet girls were brought in to replace them.
11. Will Ferrell turned down Elf 2
Will turned down $29million to reprise his role as Buddy for a sequel.
He told The Guardian: “I killed the idea of a sequel. $29m does seem a lot of money for a guy to wear tights, but it’s what the marketplace will bear.”
However, he’s definitely not against sequels as he reprised his role as Ron Burgundy in Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues and Mugatu in Zoolander 2.
He later said: “I just think it would look slightly pathetic if I tried to squeeze back in the elf tights: Buddy the middle-aged elf.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
