Will Ferrell reveals he thought Elf could ruin his career
Comedian said he thought the movie could either be a 'home run' or bury his career as an actor
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Your support makes all the difference.Will Ferrell has admitted he was concerned his Christmas comedy film Elf would ruin his career.
Ferrell stars as Buddy the Elf in the festive tale, which follows the eponymous hero as he travels from the North Pole to New York City to find his real father.
The film was directed by Jon Favreau (Iron Man, The Jungle Book), and also stars Bob Newhart, Zooey Deschanel, Mary Steenburgen, Ed Asner, Peter Dinklage, Amy Sedaris, Faizon Love, and Daniel Tay.
Appearing on The Late Late Show with James Corden, Ferrell was asked about the experience of making the movie back in 2003.
“It’s such a brilliant film,” Corden remarked, "[but] is this true? When you were shooting Elf, you were worried that it was going to end your movie career?"
“Yeah there were moments,” replied Ferrell. “The first two weeks of shooting were kind of all the exteriors in New York and so, you know, still kind of discovering what this movie’s going to be and running around New York City in yellow tights.
“People recognising me from Saturday Night Live going, ‘Are you okay? What’s going on?’ and thinking to myself this is either going to be a home run or people are going to go, ‘Whatever happened to you? Why did you do that one about the elf?’”
Ferrell went on to talk about James Caan, who plays his father in the film, and the veteran actor’s response to the movie at the premiere.
“He came up to me at the premiere,” explained Ferrell, “and you know, it had gone great, and people were like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is gonna be fantastic’, and he’s like, ’Hey, I got to tell you something. Every day on set I thought you were way too over the top, but now I see what you’re doing. Great job!’”
“So I just love the thought that there we were working every day and he’s going back to his hotel room going, ‘Jeez, get me out of this one!'”
Elf is now one of the most popular Christmas films of all time.
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