This challenge extended to other scenes. Santa, being the frequent sleigh flier that he is, gives Buddy some NYC spots to hit up, including Rays Pizza. ', Of course, it was the former. "Thankfully, we had some pretty smart people who could figure it out," Boyter coyly put it to Netflix. The classic stop-motion Christmas special from 1964 gave a memorable presentation of Santa's winter wonderland to which Favreau wanted to pay tribute. Same thing with the 59th Street Bridge," Favreau told Rolling Stone. Greg Doherty/Getty Images for The Salvation Army. According to Brick Underground, its the same as Dana Barretts haunted apartment in Ghostbusters. For example, those cotton balls the character eats in the doctor's office were made from cotton candy. It was one of those things.". Everyone knows the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear! He was a lot of fun.". His specific casting in that role adds to obviously why it works so well., Caan has a great sense of humor. Youre going to read an awful lot about Sonny Corleone over the next few days. However, Favreau had to convince the movie's studio, New Line, which was wary of spending time and money on a famously laborious technique like stop-motion. "I had to dye my hair blonde for a screen test for a movie that never happened before I did Elf. And the third. Photo Gallery; Trailers and Videos; Details. "Now, we're really best buddies. It's this spirit that gave Elf its candy cane-sweet center. Ferrell had it worse. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Caan might have seemed like an unusual choice for a broad holiday comedy, the seriousness of his career and sternness of his characters almost off-putting. "When we had Will in the Lincoln Tunnel, the tunnel was open. But anything for the movie, I'm there. And the cast struggled, too. The director eventually cast him in 1972's The Godfather, earning Caan his sole Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. In a 2020 Rolling Stone interview , director Jon Favreau recalled . As Berenbaum told Philadelphia City Paper, "I don't think we'd be talking about the movie now if Will didn't commit to play Buddy the elf, 'cause I can't really imagine anyone else on the planet playing that role at this point.". Originally cast as Michael . Among the many Hollywood heavy hitters he has inspired are Steven Spielberg, Tim Burton, and James Cameron, according to the British Film Institute magazine Sight & Sound. Artie has found himself in trouble with the law several times, but he still acts on shows like Crashing. But she didn't dye her hair for this role. Okay, technically it was an abandoned mental hospital, where the production team constructed the interior sets for Walter's Central Park West apartment, Gimbels's lavish toy department, and that grim prison cell. Ferrell turned down a reported $29 million paycheck to reprise the role of Buddy for a sequel, telling The Guardian in 2006 that it "wasn't difficult at all" to pass on the opportunity. Even though its already nearly 20 years old, Elf sits firmly in the classic Christmas film canon. Ferrell's brother Patrick Ferrell played one of the security guards that drags Buddy out of the Empire State Building. I'm proud that he's grown up so well. This explains why he's most proud of his cameo as Mr. Narwhal. The shot where Buddy is caught by NY1 cameras in Central Park is most likely a reference to the 1960s movie from Roger Patterson and Bob Gimlin that allegedly featured Bigfoot, according to the website Zinzin. Another theme Berenbaum wanted to explore was a son looking for an absent father. A titan in the film industry, Caan's movie and TV career stretches back over 60 years, with some of his most notable roles being in The Godfather (1972), Misery (1990) and Elf (2003). The horrifying laughter in the Jack-in-the-boxes that Buddy tests is actually from a classic Disney film. This marks just one of many Billingsley and Favreau's collaborations. And yes, that really is Ferrell singing. The department store Santa actor said one day he was sitting in wardrobe when Ferrell walked by in his Buddy costume and, knowing the building's history, Lange had a good laugh about it. (AP: Paramount Pictures)Having earlier acted in 1969 Francis . July 8, 2022 at 6:00 a.m. EDT. I can make some money, let my kids do what the hell they want to do,' he told theBull & Fox show on Clevelands 92.3 FM radio station. Will Ferrell, Zooey Deschanel, James Caan and More. And I went in for the meeting for Elf, and then I asked them, 'Could I dye my hair back to my natural color?'" ", In hindsight, it's clear that casting Ferrell was key to the movie's success. Gimbels toy department and the prison cell in the film were also shot there. I liked the notion of being involved with Will in his first solo movie after SNL, but it wasn't quite there.". Aside from the jokes, the singing, the nostalgia and the quotable scenes, Favreau and producer Peter Billingsley spoke with "20/20" about some of the behind-the-scenes antics and stories from the set. From hair trends to relationship advice, our daily newsletter has everything you need to sound like a person whos on TikTok, even if you arent. But when Elfwas moving into production, he was considered a wildly improbable choice for the character. And perhaps its because Buddy excels at transporting you to a time when you believed in Santa Claus that you may have missed some fun details you otherwise would have picked up on, including tons of nods to other beloved Christmas flicks. most people who have seen it would be, too. Whats going on? 2018!). The crew carefully made sure the two always matched. After taking a brief break from the spotlight and struggling with various legal issues, depression and drugs Caan returned in pal Rob Reiner's terrifying Misery in 1990. The Most Memorable Christmas Moments From 'The Office', 6 Hallmark Christmas Movies Worth Watching This Holiday Season, Melissa Rivers Shares 2023 Met Gala Predictions: Who Will 'Bring It', Joe, Bessy Gatto Spark Reconciliation Rumors After Buying Home Together, Why Wasn't Scott Disick At Kardashian Easter Celebration? Fun fact: Redbone also sings Baby, Its Cold Outside with Deschanel during the credits. The scene when Buddy is on the bridge and sees Santas sleigh crash mirrors when George Bailey (played by Jimmy Stewart) hits his low point in Its A Wonderful Life, yet another classic holiday movie. This was back when the pair were pre-Saturday Night Live, and part of The Groundlings comedy troupe. When David Berenbaum's spec script first emerged in 1993, Carrey was pre-Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and attached to front the Christmas film. Amy has since starred in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, BoJack Horseman, No Activity, and tons more! 16. Although no Gimbels existed when Elf was made, Gimbels was a real store that shut down in 1986, and it was featured prominently as Macys competitor in the original Miracle on 34th Street. The elves' costumes in Elf were inspired by those worn by Hermey and his peers in the animated film. "I constantly stayed up. The anxiety etched on Ferrell's face in these scenes is real. I mean, the fun of being an actor is being somebody else for three months, you know?" Will Ferrell and Faizon Love in "Elf," 2003. At that point, Ferrell was known mainly for Saturday Night Live, which he'd just left, and for small parts in adult-only movies like the first and second Austin Powers, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, and Zoolander. - Favreau on the shower/duet scene between Deschanel and Farrell. Ferrell later told Rotten Tomatoes that it was when he saw the original ending at the LA premiere that he knew the movie was special. Best in Commentary. Elf became an instant Christmas classic when it was released on Nov. 8, 2003, and it's now a movie everyone . "I remember asking myself: could I withstand the criticism when it's bad and they say, 'He did the sequel for the money?'" At the end of filming, Favreau said, Ferrell gave his costar a wrap gift. She explained to Variety, "There are worse things in the world to eat than that, but we had been doing it for hours." Its hard to believe Will was only 36 when he starred as Buddy. Part of why I asked you to cameo in the film was because I wanted some of 'The Christmas Story,' that good mojo, Favreau said to Billingsley, who has gone on to have a successful career as a producer and worked with Favreau on the "Iron Man" movie. Hope you find your dad." Favreau said, laughing. . So I had to wait until I was done with that movie. Now, hes a hunk who does a bit of voice acting, though he doesnt appear on the big screen anymore. Some department store scenes were shot in an old insane asylum. The production did secure permission for these allusions, and was even granted the privilege of using the company's signature snowman. All rights reserved. "So we had one take to destroy it. When Buddy yells at Artie Langes Santa at Gimbels for not being the real North Pole OG, a child is sitting with Santa. I didn't want to wander into an area that could erase all the good work I've donebut you watch, I'll do some sequel in the future that's crap.". Here are eight things you might not know about the movie "Elf.". And, in some ways, Elf highlights a certain natural progression of his career. I had never been involved with it." Costume designer Laura Jean Shannon,tasked with finding the perfect look, revealed it wasn't accommodating Ferrell's 6-foot-3 frame that was the hardest part of her job. He clarified to Jewish Journal, "It was never about Jesus, it was about Santa Claus.". "Christmas movies are about spirit winning . Alan Markfield/New Line Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock. But hey, everyone knows the sequel is never as good as the original, so maybe it was for the best. Ferrell's Buddy costume was so captivating that the actor actually caused a few traffic incidents while filming in New York City. Both are now closed. Luckily, James Caan, who played Walter Hobbs in the movie, finally revealed why in September 2020. Buddy's all-sugar diet also became Ferrell's daily food intake while filming as he actually scarfed down all of that maple syrup-coated spaghetti and candy during scenes. We kept him laughing, and he kept us laughing, Favreau told Rolling Stone. Caans character in the 2003 family-friendly holiday comedy Elf might not be the first thing that sprung to the minds of most film critics when his death was announced, but its certainly the one occupying my mind. "It was less a challenge dressing Will due to his size and more a challenge to make sure nothing seemed off-putting or in bad taste." Great job,'" Ferrell recalled during an appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden in 2018. The article has been updated. File photo of actor James Caan at his home in Los Angeles, Calif. On 9/29/88. Fortunately, the legal troubles cleared. The interiors of Walters Central Park West apartment, however, were constructed at an old mental facility in Vancouver, Riverview Hospital, whose film credits include horror classics Final Destination 2, Freddy vs. Jason, and Jennifers Body, among others. Suddenly, Ferrell was famous, specifically for playing a beer-guzzling, streaking, ribbon-dancing, ring-of-fire-jumping frat man. he explained. However, he had some fun alongside Molly Sims and Josh Duhamel on Las Vegas, starring as casino bigwig Ed Deline from 2003 to 2007. We ended up hanging out a lot off-set. She was also excited to record a version with Leon Redbone, of whom she was a big fan. LaMarche shared his secret to such an impressive burp with The A.V. Lets talk about Walter Hobbs. Though his career was already impressive, he has only continued to cement himself as a comedy legend! Gale Sayers (Billy Dee Williams) comforts Brian Piccolo (James Caan) in 1971's "Brian's Song." Caan died July 6, 2022, at the age of 82. Buddy's iconic costume was modeled off of the elves from the 1964 Rankin/Bass film Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Just leave it to Ferrell. ", In the movie, Buddy is happy to gobble down an endless supply of sweets, including maple syrup-coated spaghetti and cotton balls made of cotton candy. Despite Elf's success, there's a lump of coal to go with the Christmas joy. According to Favreaus DVD commentary special, The Godfather star broke because Ferrell often made him laugh. Video: James Caan, The Godfather and Elf Acting Legend, Dead at 82 (People) As with all successful family films, the movie manages to delight parent and child alike, partially by introducing the . The interaction between Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf and Artie Lange, as the department store Santa who smells like beef and cheese, was mostly improvised over several takes, Favreau said. As Favreau explained to Rolling Stone, they made two sets, with Favreau on the one positioned closer to the camera, and lined them up so that it looked like Ferrell was sitting right next to the people on the other set. This man is actor and comedian Matt Walsh, best known for playing Mike McLintock on Veep. Because it took over a decade for the film to finally be made, the . As a kid growing up in Philadelphia, future Elf screenwriter David Berenbaum loved Christmas despite being Jewish. But this sugary diet played havoc on Ferrell, who admitted, "That was tough. Thats who you notice on the second watch. New Line executives worried that the Old School audience wouldn't want to see an earnest family Christmas movie. Of course. "One actress they were looking at was good at skateboarding," Deschanel said, and when the director found out Deschanel could sing, he added her now-iconic shower duet of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" with Buddy. We approached the person that had the rights to Gimbels. The exterior of Walter and Emilys home is only shown briefly, but eagle-eyed viewers may have noticed it has been in a movie before. Another mystery: Where did he get all his sugary breakfast treats from? Some of Buddy's most iconic lines"You smell like beef and cheese!" And theres Caan theres Sonny Corleone, Paul Sheldon, Tony Archer, Brian Piccolo, the dude from Thief as the gruff, absent father who needs to learn the meaning of Christmas. This development was great for the screenplay, but it's also the reason Elf almost never happened. On the first watch, you notice Will Ferrells Buddy the Elf. Ferrell recollected to Spliced Wire, "I have some experience playing Santa Claus Chris Kattan was my elf at this outdoor mall in Pasadena for five weeks, passing out candy canes. In 2006, he turned down a $29 million offer nearly the entire budget of the first movie to put Buddy's tights back on. But Caan soon put their fears to rest. He didnt bring a bag with him from the North Pole. To replace them, brunette triplet girls were brought in, who were far perkier and more playful, and thereby ready for their close-ups. From left, Amy Sedaris, James Caan and Will Ferrell in the 2003 holiday comedy "Elf." (New Line Cinema/Everett Collection) Article. He was . He was 82. But it sort of backfired. In the 2020 Netflix special The Holiday Movies that Made Us, the story behind the name was finally revealed. Will Ferrell, Jon Favreau, and Joe MacLeod in "Elf," 2003. He also made a cameo in another of his brothers movies, The Other Guys, in 2010, this time as one of two precinct detectives. This is either going to be a home run or people are going to go, Whatever happened to you? Kevin Kane/Getty Images for Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. In an interview with Rolling Stone for the 10-year anniversary of Elf, director Jon Favreau said it was his hope from the start that the film would become a holiday classic. James Caan's wife Linda Stokes, Director of the movie "Holy Lands" Amanda Sthers, Actor James Caan and . Jon Favreau and Artie Lange share behind-the-scenes secrets about the film. Now Jon has directed and produced dozens of blockbuster movies, including many from theMarvel Cinematic Universe! These included the snowflakes that drift over the opening credits, and many of the snowballs in Buddy's pivotal fight scene. Dont do it, Deb! Favreau's hugely popular (yet unknown) cameo. All of the elves outfits are designed to look like those seen in Rudolph, with Buddys costume matching the Head Elfs. So if you could make him laugh, all the tension disappears. Ferrell admitted to Blackfilm, "Yeah, that was tough. That includes those that lend themselves to being shot in an abandoned mental institution, such as the orphanage, the police station, the mail room, and the offices of Greenway Press. 1. If youre a child of the 90s and 2000s, it probably feels like just yesterday that you were cracking up watching Will Ferrells hilarious adventure to find his dad in the holidayclassic, Elf, for the first time. "I decided I wouldn't be able to. "But it was out-and-out luck.". Will Ferrell drew viewers in as the iconic Buddy the Elf in 2003's Elf . ET on ABC. Various scenes pay homage to other classic Christmas films, We used stop-motion animation like 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,' which was a big influence for us," Favreau said. '", 17. The studio noted the actor does not look 26, to which Favreauwho had previously cast Acheson in a small role that had been cut before productionresponded that this disconnect was part of the joke. In the scene at Walters office where Buddy answers the phone, he says, Whats your favorite color? In first drafts of Berenbaum's Elf script, Buddy's decision to seek out his dad was in part because he was being hassled by the actual elves for being different. James Caan, the tough-guy actor who scored an Oscar nom as mafioso Sonny Corleone in The Godfather and an Emmy nom for playing NFL running back Brian Piccolo in Brian's Song, among a host of Will wanted to do it, and he didnt want the director.. How could you not love the no-bullst Gimbels manager, played by Faizon? "If you could make him laugh, all the tension disappears," Favreau said. It was hilarious because little kids could care less about the elf. 19. But Macy's didn't like the idea that there was a fake Santa working there," Favreau said. Even the paper decorations were time-consuming. Instead, they created the window where Buddy sleeps inside the Empire State Building with a very short turnaround time, as Smith told Entertainment Weekly. Actor James Caan at home playing a guitar on April 16,1970 in Hollywood, California. the New Girl star told Stylecaster. However, he also touched on the pair's "dysfunctional" relationship: the elder Caan had five children with four wives and split from Scott's mom when he was a baby. Details, Why Did Taylor and Joe Break Up? In the DVD commentary, Favreau offers, It explained why Buddy was doing all these good things in New York if he grew up in a world where everybody was so sweet even when hes obviously screwing everything up and doesnt fit in at all.. As producer Cale Boyter told Netflix, "Legally, we thought we had made a deal, and everything was cool." Other productions that have shot there include The X-Files, The Twilight Zone, Halloween: Resurrection, and Black Christmas. Billingsley has been a producer on several of Favreau's film and television projects. As he told The Washington Post some 42 years ago, Everyplace I go, I spend half my time undoing Sonny Corleone.. The Lite-Brite "welcome" sign caused a similar headache since they had to source extra red and blue light pegs. He was an executive producer forF is for Familyon Netflix. But when it came to the blood test scene where Buddy bellows when pricked by a needle, Caan cracked. "The costume was important," Favreau told ABC News. Will is still consistently acting in hilarious comedies like Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, which came out in 2020. Born in New York City on March 26, 1940, to Sophie and Arthur Caan, Jewish immigrants from Germany, James Caan went to Michigan State University on an athletic scholarship before turning to Off-Broadway, according to a 1975 PEOPLE profile. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for ELF (InfiniFilm DVD, 2003) CHRISTMAS COMEDY WILL FERRELL JAMES CAAN ZOOEY at the best online prices at eBay! TIL: After filming ELF, Will Ferrell gave James Caan the GODFATHER trilogy with a note saying "Great working with you. Elf has the ability to make you laugh and cry and be filled with holiday wonder, just as any good Christmas flick should. Talking about Sonny makes sense, but it might not be what he wanted. Gimbels Santa and Buddy had one take to film the North Pole fight scene. The New York Times called his presence "a lunatic bonhomie that lights a welcome spark.". People would be looking at him walking on the side and that would cause a few minor traffic accidents.". In the scene where Buddy suffers as a toy tester, he's subjected to popping open an endless stream of menacing jack-in-the-boxes. Elves thrive on the four main food groups (candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup, of course), but one of the dumb things we all ignored in Elf was that Buddy, as a human, would probably be very ill, if not dead, on this diet. Though it was shot, it ended up being chopped from the finished film. Production designer Rusty Smith told Netflix, "It is one of the creepiest places I've ever been in my life." Buddy used his elf training to construct it overnight, but it took the production team two weeks. He explained that he didn't want to face criticism and accusations of money-grabbing if it didn't turn out as well as the first one, adding, "I didn't want to wander into an area that could erase all the good work I've done.".
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