Will Ferrell explains why he turned down $29m for Elf sequel
Actor said he didn’t want to promote a sequel that was ‘not good’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Will Ferrell said he was offered $29m to star in a sequel to Elf but turned it down because he didn’t believe in its premise.
In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the 54-year-old Saturday Night Live alum said he thought the sequel’s plotline was too similar to the first Elf movie.
Ferrell said: “I would have had to promote the movie from an honest place, which would’ve been, like, ‘Oh no, it’s not good. I just couldn’t turn down that much money.’
“I thought, ‘Can I actually say those words? I don’t think I can, so I guess I can’t do the movie.’”
When asked about his role as Buddy the Elf in Jon Favreau’s feel-good directorial debut, Ferrell recalled running around New York City in yellow tights, thinking: “Boy, this could be the end.”
However, the film earned a whopping $220m at the box office, and was received warmly by audiences and critics.
Ferrel has previously also dismissed the possibility of an Elf sequel, saying it was “absolutely not” going to happen.
In a 2013 episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, the Talladega Nights actor said: “It would look slightly pathetic if I tried to squeeze back into the Elf tights.”
James Caan, who plays Ferrell’s biological father in Elf, has claimed that Ferrell and Favreau don’t get along with each other.
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
During an appearance on the radio show The Fan in Cleveland , Caan said: “We were gonna do [a sequel].
“And I thought, ‘Oh my god, I finally have a franchise movie. I can make some money, let my kids do what the hell they want to do.’”
However, friction between Ferrell and Favreau ultimately dashed the actor’s hopes for a successful franchise series.
Ferrell will next be seen in the Apple TV+ series The Shrink Next Door, opposite Paul Rudd. The drama is released on 12 November.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments