Yes, that is right, Will Ferrell was not the original choice when the script was drafted. Hard to imagine anyone else, right? However, if anyone could have pulled off Buddy the Elf besides Ferrell it probably would have been Carrey.
Why didn't it happen?
You see, the film is much older than it's release date. The story and the script were drafted back in 1993 (the film was released in 2003). David Berenbaum put the script together specifically with Jim Carrey in mind for the lead role. Jim Carrey showed some interest in the role early on, however, this was right around the time that Carrey came out with Ace Venture: Pet Detective... which ultimately made him a star. Once that happened, the movie offers started rolling in for Carrey which made Buddy the Elf an after thought.
After Carrey left, the project floated around in development for almost 10 years before Jon Favreau picked it up and decided he could do something with it.
Ferrell, surprisingly showed interest in the lead role after just coming off of a starring role in Old School which was seemingly launching his career into orbit. It would be risky to take on a squeaky clean family comedy after his success in a much different type of film(Old School) with a much different kind of audience.
However, the film was an overwhelming success. With a budget of only $33M, the film has brought in more than $220M to date. It is mentioned as one of the greatest holiday films of all time and is often played during the Christmas holidays on several different television channels. Rotten Tomatoes even gives it a score of 84%, which is quite favorable.
With the film's success there were rumors of a second "Elf". It was even reported that Ferrell was offered close to $30M to return as the lead. Ferrell, however, turned down the offer saying; "it would be quite easy to turn down that much money just thinking about reading all of the terrible reviews the film would receive."
My Review:
I just saw this film for the first time all the way through, last night. I had seen bits and pieces of it before and honestly I didn't care for it much then, but something about watching it all the way through while sitting down with the whole family... made it quite enjoyable to watch. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it as some good clean fun for the entire family!
Have you seen the film? If so, could Jim Carrey have pulled off Buddy the Elf?
Live well my friends!
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Carrey
http://thefw.com/things-you-didnt-know-about-elf/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elf_(film)
Image Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elf_(film)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Carrey
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Ferrell
Follow: @jrcornel
It would have been pretty funny. And I'm sure rather lively. But there is SOMETHING about Will Ferrell saying, "Smiling's my favorite." and "the four basic food groups are candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup."
And how do you possibly imagine anything better than guzzling a liter of soda the way he did, or pouring syrup on the spaghetti noodles, or wearing that gal dern smile all the time. He's insatiable. He has such a quirky, odd thing going. I can't get enough of it.
Haha very well said and I agree!
I watched Elf again last week, maybe for the 5th time, and what a blast we had. We laughed so hard, especially on the lines we all knew. Thanks for these pieces of information, it will make it even more worthwhile watching the next time around.. Namaste :)
I think the more times you watch it... the better it gets :)
I can only agree! Namaste :)
@jrcornel, would of been better. I love Will, but Jim is the funniest.
I'm not sure... I think Ferrell nailed it personally. However, if anyone besides Ferrell could have pulled it off... it woulda been Jim!
@jrcornel, funniest SNL was with Jim and Will. They are my favorites.
They are supremely talented that is for sure! Can you imagine them plus Robin Williams at his peak? Some funny talent right there...
I may be the only person alive who can't stand Jim Carey... but I just can't. The only movie I liked him in was Cable Guy. I know it's weird. Love Elf though.
Actually I can understand that pretty easily ha. I really liked the Pet Detective movies... some of the others were ok. He is an interesting man. Oh I actually enjoyed that movie "23", although that was a different kind of role for him...
Jim carrey would of been awesome as buddy elf!
He woulda been pretty entertaining as well I am sure!
This post has been ranked within the top 80 most undervalued posts in the second half of Dec 10. We estimate that this post is undervalued by $8.93 as compared to a scenario in which every voter had an equal say.
See the full rankings and details in The Daily Tribune: Dec 10 - Part II. You can also read about some of our methodology, data analysis and technical details in our initial post.
If you are the author and would prefer not to receive these comments, simply reply "Stop" to this comment.
That would be interesting. There are many iconic roles that almost went to someone else. Who knows, the role might not have ended up being iconic without Will Ferrell. Impossible to know for sure.
Sound of music was originally intended for Audrey Hepburn, but it went to Julie Andrews. Ironcially, My Fair Lady, which was being filmed around the same time, was originally intended for Julie Andrews. But it went to Hepburn. (Andrews was preoccupied with Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music.)
And no one can dispute that Andrews made the best Maria, and Hepburn made the best Eliza.