"I was raised in a Jewish family, and we celebrated Hanukkah but also had a Christmas tree. Dont do it, Deb! We approached the person that had the rights to Gimbels. Will Ferrell and Faizon Love in "Elf," 2003. As with all successful family films, the movie manages to delight parent and child alike, partially by introducing the younger generation to an army of Hollywoods elder statesmen. We ended up hanging out a lot off-set. 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! So every take was different. But when Elfwas moving into production, he was considered a wildly improbable choice for the character. "He saw me when I was a little rough around the edges," James told PEOPLE at the time. Rusty Smith told Netflix that after Favreau had finished his cut, the studio tried to reshape the movie into an adult comedy. "All of us were a little scared of James Caan," producer Jon Berg admitted to Netflix. However, when Buddy comes to New York, it was important to Favreau to shoot on location whenever possible. As he told The Washington Post some 42 years ago, Everyplace I go, I spend half my time undoing Sonny Corleone.. Caan is survived by five children and four . This was the last set piece shot for Elf, and one that filmmakers were wavering on from its conception late in production. Known for his turn in dramas like The Godfather and Misery, James Caan was concerned early on that Ferrell's performance was, um, a little too much. So it was very painstaking.. Carrey would go on to headline his own Christmas offeringsthe live-action How The Grinch Stole Christmas and the CGI animated A Christmas Carol. 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. Plus, The New York Times called it, "A splashy, peppy, sugar-sprinkled holiday entertainment." Entertainment Television, LLC A Division of NBCUniversal. Sadly, Ed died on August 29, 2021. Another mystery: Where did he get all his sugary breakfast treats from? Favreau explained to Rolling Stone that the original script was much darker, and that didn't gel with him. 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. He was an executive producer forF is for Familyon Netflix. If you would like to customise your choices, click 'Manage privacy settings'. They have to smash the whole [thing] -- so we dont really have a lot of resets, Favreau said, laughing. 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. He was . He not only had to eat an enormous bite of spaghetti covered in candy and syrup, he had to look like he was enjoying it with a Buddy level of enthusiasm. His specific casting in that role adds to obviously why it works so well., Caan has a great sense of humor. "But it was out-and-out luck.". "We were gonna do it, and I thought, 'Oh my God, I finally have a franchise movie. Ming Ming The Elf Is A Holiday Movie Star. Santa, being the frequent sleigh flier that he is, gives Buddy some NYC spots to hit up, including Rays Pizza. If it takes eating a lot of maple syrup, then I will, if that's what the job calls for.". However, the production ran into a problem when the boys couldn't perform. And, in some ways, Elf highlights a certain natural progression of his career. 7. In Elf, he was able to channel a workaholic publishing executive who refuses to reprint a childrens book missing a couple of pages in the name of the almighty dollar, and who is annoyed if not terrified to learn he might unknowingly have a son from a previous relationship. It's an uncredited . Although his role is uncredited, Peter Billingsley plays Ming Ming and the actor is best known for being Ralphie in 1983s A Christmas Story. Fortunately, the legal troubles cleared. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. But even if you recognized him, you probably didnt notice he is also credited as playing Himself. Whatta creep. Remembering James Caan: 1940-2022 (1) Movie and TV Santas We Love (1) Holiday Movie Posters We Love (1) Elf Photo & Video. Who didnt love Bob as Papa Elf, the man who raised Buddy as his own? By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. Before his big break on Saturday Night Live, Ferrell once worked as a mall Santa Claus in Pasadena, Calif., with his SNL co-star Chris Kattan serving as one of his elves. Buddy works at the department store Gimbels with Jovie. He was a lot of fun.". For North Pole scenes, two sets were builtone larger scale for the actors playing elves, the other smaller to make Buddy and Santa look big. Suddenly, Ferrell was famous, specifically for playing a beer-guzzling, streaking, ribbon-dancing, ring-of-fire-jumping frat man. When asked about the cult-classic success of the film, Will said it was just obviously one of those where the stars aligned and 15 years later, its crazy.. Well, believe it or not, the film actually debuted on Nov. 7, 2003 and yes, that comes out to a whole 18 years ago! 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. Am I biased? This article was originally published on Dec. 22, 2017, Rachel McAdams Would Be Part Of 'Mean Girls: The Musical' On This Condition, Paramount+s 'Fatal Attraction' Series Follows The Movies Alternate Ending, Molly Ringwald Turned Down 'Pretty Woman' Due To An Early Script's Ick Factor, Jennifer Aniston Reveals The One Sequel She Would *Never* Do, Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter. "I wanted some of the Christmas Story, that good mojo, that was our goal," he told Billingsley on ABC News. Will Ferrells Buddy the Elf is an expert in spreading Christmas cheer, whether its by singing loudly for all to hear, crooning Baby, Its Cold Outside with Zooey Deschanels Jovie in private, or even by getting hit by cabs on the streets of New York City. No wonder Buddy feels the need to drink a whole 2-liter of Coke at dinner at his dads house hes thirsty. However, it took another 10 years to get the project in motion, at which time Saturday Night Live star Will Ferrell was signed to star. James Caan (left) portrayed Sonny Corleone, song of gangster patriarch Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) in the celebrated 1972 film. ", Though the comedian reprised the role of Ron Burgundy for Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues and returned as Mugatu in Zoolander 2, he flat out rejected the possibility of bringing back Buddy, even after being offered a reported $29 million. 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. Ive got houses in LA, Paris, and Vail, Miles says when hes angry at Buddy for calling him an elf. Club, saying, "Ive always been able to do this weird effect, where I turn my tongue, not inside out, but almost. He was 82. Luckily, James Caan, who played Walter Hobbs in the movie, finally revealed why in September 2020. 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. While most people know Favreau had a small role as the pediatrician who examines Buddy and confirms he's Walter's son, the director also had another part: He voiced the Narwhal who infamously said, "Bye Buddy, hope you find your dad!". Favreau said the team approached Macy's asking to use their store, which he thought seemed like be a natural fit for the movie, but Macy's declined. Life & Style has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. After the show ended, Peter landed the principal role in theCyrano, which is scheduled to premiere in January 2022. The first time I met him I just put him in a bear hug and yelled Dad! I thought that would break the ice, he told the entertainment website Blackfilm in 2003. We were going to do it, and I thought, Oh my God, I finally have a franchise movie. They added the signage and nutcrackers to that building for shooting and filmed the interior scenes of Gimbels inside a department store in Vancouver. It was The Godfather trilogy.". "They felt it would blow the illusion for kids.". Kevin Kane/Getty Images for Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. In December of 2013, he told USA TODAY, "I just think it would look slightly pathetic if I tried to squeeze back in the elf tights: Buddy the middle-aged elf.". Now, hes a hunk who does a bit of voice acting, though he doesnt appear on the big screen anymore. Favreau panicked that if he showed a cut of the movie without the as-yet-incomplete stop-motion scenes, the studio wouldn't let him add them in later. The horrifying laughter in the Jack-in-the-boxes that Buddy tests is actually from a classic Disney film. '", 17. But a good way into production, the New Line legal department panicked. The 1996 action film Eraser paired Caan with Arnold Schwarzenegger, allowing him to once again spread his bad guy wings as villain DeGuerin. Although Caan lived up to his self-appointed name, he struggled to match Ferrell's relentless Christmas energy and improvising skills which was exactly the dynamic their characters needed. Eventually, something just clicked in Jimmy, and he just went with it. Though uncredited, that lengthy belch came not from Ferrell, but from noted voice actor Maurice LaMarche, who might be best known for Brain of Pinky and the Brain. The laugh is from the hyena in the zoo in Lady and the Tramp, which someone was kind enough to share on YouTube to confirm. "The costume was important," Favreau told ABC News. To play the bubbly baby version of the titular elf, Favreau had initially cast twin boys whose blonde curly hair made them great little doubles for the mop-topped Ferrell. Now Jon has directed and produced dozens of blockbuster movies, including many from theMarvel Cinematic Universe! "It hits hardest at Christmastime when it's 105 degrees out here," Berenbaum told Variety in 2018. 14. All Rights Reserved, Please note that this form cannot be used to reset your Google, The Most Iconic Christmas Movie Quotes Will Have You Feeling Festive, Merry ~Kristmas~! Its great to see Jimmy in a way that were not used to seeing him in and it adds to the effect. He might not play the main character in either, but hes one of the most important in both. He clarified to Jewish Journal, "It was never about Jesus, it was about Santa Claus.". Best in Commentary. It was one of those things.". The actor played the chimney-climber several times, including in the TV movies The Story of Santa Claus, Christmas on the Bayou, and National Lampoons Christmas Vacation 2. We shot right up until we destroy the place," Lange said. In the scene at Walters office where Buddy answers the phone, he says, Whats your favorite color? The elf Ming Ming oversees toy production and unintentionally helps Buddy realize hes a human. "We were going to do it, and I thought, 'Oh my God, I finally have a franchise movie. From November 2010 to January 2011, Elf the musical ran on Broadway, boasting songs like "World's Greatest Dad," "Nobody Cares About Santa," and "The Story of Buddy The Elf." Favreau's hugely popular (yet unknown) cameo. 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. "If you could make him laugh, all the tension disappears," Favreau said. Here are eight things you might not know about the movie "Elf.". The Oscar nominee often played it serious, and was beloved by fans because of it. He also made a cameo in another of his brothers movies, The Other Guys, in 2010, this time as one of two precinct detectives. And his A Night at the Roxbury co-star Chris Kattan was his elf. ", 5. Their main concern was Buddy's green costume, which looked strikingly similar to an elf uniform from Rankin/Bass and was in almost every scene. "I'll see pictures online of people saying, 'Hey I'm introducing my son or my daughter to this movie for the first time.' When Im working with improv people, I give them the green light to just bring it and try things. What seems craziest to fans is the fact that despite the films success, there was never a sequel. I would try to offset anything he could throw at me, Ferrell told Blackfilm. Initially elated when Caan took the part, the rookie producers were also a little intimidated at the thought of working with the man who played The Godfather's Sonny Corleone. It's unlikely that we'll get to see an Elf 2, at least not one that stars Will Ferrell. Ferrell's brother Patrick Ferrell played one of the security guards that drags Buddy out of the Empire State Building. But anything for the movie, I'm there. In a 2003 interview with TV Guide, Asner said, This is about the eighth time Ive [played Santa], adding, It is really old hat. 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. Talking about Sonny makes sense, but it might not be what he wanted. We won't post to any of your accounts without asking first. The first script for Elf was actually written in 1993, with Jim Carreyin mind to play the titular Santa's helper. "It's sort of romantic, but it's sort of weird, too.". Because were using a Santa, of course, everybody thinks Macy's. Hope you find your dad." Favreau said, laughing. Cookies help us deliver our Services. But to be clear, Caan wasn't talking about Favreau. In 2012, Caan joined son Scott on an episode of Hawaii Five-0, playing a retired NYPD bomb expert who becomes a private investigator in Oahu. I ingested a lot of sugar in this movie, and I didn't get a lot of sleep." 'Sleepless in Seattle' Cast: Where Are They Now? "It is with great sadness . Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel have both paid a sweet tribute to their Elf co-star James Caan following the sad news that he had passed away on Wednesday . He chose to wear her "Wanda" nametag anyway. Their ultimate goal was not box office glory (although that would be nice.) "We were gonna do it. she explained to Feel Christmassy. We kept him laughing, and he kept us laughing, Favreau told Rolling Stone. 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. 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. Elf: Directed by Jon Favreau. Favreau recruited the Chiodo brothers to film the sequences, whose resume included effects for the Gremlins movies and sequences in The Simpsons. According to Berg, on his first day on set, he gave a speech in which he asked to be called Jimmy the Dream. The fact that its in rotation is the highest honor that movie can have. Years later, it still holds true. 3. Even though its already nearly 20 years old, Elf sits firmly in the classic Christmas film canon. Alan Markfield/New Line Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock. 2. Elf was also initially intended to be a bit more sinister, withdirector Jon Favreaurevealing to Rolling Stone, "He was a darker character.". Billingsley also made a cameo in 'Elf'. And the third. The crew carefully made sure the two always matched. 1. I had never been involved with it." Santaland took weeks to make but minutes to destroy. Pierce Brosnan is honoring late costar James Caan as someone who gave himself "to the art of acting and performance to the very end." On Friday, Brosnan, 69, shared a series of photos from the set . Will Ferrell, Jon Favreau, and Joe MacLeod in "Elf," 2003. ', Of course, it was the former. "I just love the thought that there we were, working every day and he was going back to his hotel room going, 'Please get me outta this one.'". 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. James Caan, the tough leading man who portrayed the explosively violent and oldest of Vito Corleones sons in The Godfather, died on July 6 at 82. This is either going to be a home run or people are going to go, Whatever happened to you? Revel in the giddy glow of this modern holiday movie classic with a slew of secrets from behind the scenes. My mother, Mindy, adores Elf more than any other film (including The Godfather) and, as a result, fires it up at least once every December (and usually again in July) to watch with my brother Tyler and me. Especially since declawing kittens in New York has been made illegal. (AP: Paramount Pictures)Having earlier acted in 1969 Francis . "I was really lucky that my job in the film was to try to drive him crazy, and I would," Ferrell explained to Blackfilm. In 2006, Favreau told The A.V. James Caan, as Buddy's biological father Walter, often seems uncomfortable as if he felt ill at ease on the set and used that feeling in his . On your next Elf rewatch, take a second to pause and admire the scale Lego model of the New York skyline that Buddy builds for the Gimbels Santaland. In a 2020 Rolling Stone interview , director Jon Favreau recalled . In a 2020 Rolling Stone interview, director Jon Favreau recalled Caan's "great sense of humor" on set. Check out the hottest fashion, photos, movies and TV shows! If you could line up the lighting and you could line up the sets with a smaller set closer to you and a larger set further back that perfectly blend, the person in the closer set will appear to be larger than the person in the set further back, Favreau explained. Amy played the secretary Deb, who was the perfect opposite of Walters grouchy personality. They wanted to make the kind of Christmas movie that families gather together to rewatch every year in the holidays. It's probably not much of a shocker that much of these were added in post, considering Buddy's perfect aim. He fronted Made with friend Vince Vaughn, and later found a sweet supporting role for himself in Iron Man. Knowing that the key was to have Caans Walter bristle against Ferrells Buddy, the former Saturday Night Live actor and improv comedian decided to agitate the Oscar-nominee until he made the journey from annoyance to bemusement. The hardest part about the mealtime scenes, Steenburgen said, was not laughing at Ferrell. While the film became an instant classic thats still featured in movie marathons, holiday events and drive-ins today, Will admitted to James Corden on The Late Late Show in 2018 that There were moments he thought the now-beloved film would be the downfall of his entire acting career. We remember Favreau on screen as the doctor that administers Buddys DNA test and tells him to stop eating cotton balls, but he also talked about his voiceover work in the movie. 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.". Just leave it to Ferrell. I mean, the fun of being an actor is being somebody else for three months, you know?" The big fight scene between Buddy and the fake Santa, played by comedian Artie Lange, was filmed in one take because it took the art department weeks to decorate Gimbels. Its hard to believe Will was only 36 when he starred as Buddy. Picturing anyone other than Will Ferrell (or an actual elf) pulling off Buddy's unbridled Christmas spirit, hopeless naivete, and yellow tights is almost impossible now. 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. Despite Elf's success, there's a lump of coal to go with the Christmas joy. But to further underscore the drama that is a snowball fight in frosty New York, Favreau asked composer John Debney to give this section a Western vibe that would recall The Magnificent Seven. Following a theater apprenticeship, he moved on to television guest spots and a role in The Rail People that earned him the eye of one Francis Ford Coppola. Menu. James Caan, the veteran screen actor known for his work in such films as "The Godfather," "Misery" and "Elf," has died, his family said in a statement on his verified Twitter account. Other productions that have shot there include The X-Files, The Twilight Zone, Halloween: Resurrection, and Black Christmas. 8. He knew it was crucial for Walter to be annoyednever amusedby his supposed son's antics. But now I see what you're doing. Since former brick-and-mortar New York City department store Gimbels was no longer in business at the time of filming, Favreau said his team got creative. Caan met a new generation of fans when he played the straight-and-narrow biological father to Will Ferrell's Buddy in 2003's Elf. 8 Jul 2022. Every day on set, I thought you were way too over-the-top. The final day of Elf's New York shooting was pared down from a massive crew to just three people: its star, its director, and one cameraman. Turns out, Charlottes reporting isnt as stellar as she thinks. James Caan Remembered by Adam Sandler, Rob Reiner and More: 'Best of the Best', All About James Hong, 94-Year-Old 'Everything Everywhere' Star Who Got Standing Ovation at SAG Awards. "Whenever he was out there in his suit, we'd hear screeches and fender-benders and lights smashing. According to Brick Underground, its the same as Dana Barretts haunted apartment in Ghostbusters. Grizzled Mark Acheson's casting as Buddy's drinking buddy concerned execs because of the line, "I'm 26 years old." Legendary actor James Caan, best known for his roles in "The Godfather" and "Elf," has died at the age of 82. She plays Gail inThe Last Man On Earth, has appeared inThe Connersas Marcy, andmadeher Christmas movie return inHappiest Seasonon Hulu. "It looks almost like he's a puppet and the tights and the boots and the hat and he was extremely brave wearing that costume.". 6. But he admitted to Rolling Stone that the sight of Ferrell in his elf costume on the side of the 59th Street Bridge did "cause a few minor traffic accidents.". 6. We remember Favreau on screen as the doctor that administers Buddy's DNA . "We shot right up until we destroy the place," Lange told ABC News. 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. Meanwhile, Buddy is . She was also excited to record a version with Leon Redbone, of whom she was a big fan. And then he just walked past. 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. The article has been updated. Peter does a lot more producing than acting these days. Whenever wed go into an Italian restaurant, theyd put on The Godfather soundtrack. This is the untold truth of Elf, including the story of building Santaland, the scene Jon Favreau added for Zooey Deschanel, the lawsuit that nearly canceled everything, what James Caan was like . But he took it all in stride. 5. Caan drew on the rigid, hardened and sometimes explosive tough guys for which hed become known, toning it down to fit a holiday film. 18. Hes prickly, but not a complete jerk, tough but vulnerable. And the directors source of inspiration is definitely visible. According to Pratchetts lore, octarine is the color of magic, so of course Buddy loves it! ", 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. "[Caan's] like, 'Hey, I've gotta tell you something. The director and WiIl didn't get along very well," he told sports radio show 92.3 The Fan. "We were half-joking, saying, Maybe someday this will be like Christmas Story where every year they'll watch it.'". Meghan Markle's Mom Doria Reportedly Won't Be Spending Christmas With The Royals, Cheer or Fear? 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. This includes all the Manhattan exteriors, as well as scenes shot at Rockefeller Center, Central Park, and Central Park West, where Buddy's dad lives. Charlotte says how the Central Park Rangers used controversial tactics during the Simon and Garfunkel concert of 85. A Buzzfeed employee picked up on an adorable fact about Buddy and Jovies babys name at the end of the film. He was even given the prestigious Gordon E. Sawyer Academy Award in 1992 for his impact in the motion picture industry. The Wrap. Though his career was already impressive, he has only continued to cement himself as a comedy legend! With Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart, Edward Asner. Back in 2003, Peter was relatively unknown when he played the mean author Miles Finch. You may have picked him out as the doctor in Elf, but on the DVD commentary, Favreau revealed he also tapped in to his inner narwhal and provided the voices for some of the stop-animation critters who see Buddy off from the North Pole. Walter, a selfish workaholic who seems to care about nothing other than . Production designer Rusty Smith told Netflix, "It is one of the creepiest places I've ever been in my life." Originally cast as Michael . If you look closely at the scene where Buddy gets a blood test, his onscreen biological father, Caan, can be seen smiling while looking to the side and then turning away after Buddy gets pricked. Before they could even get started, they first had to draw all the buildings and work out how many bricks they would need per building as well as which colors to make them look right. most people who have seen it would be, too. Les meilleures offres pour ELF - DVD Will Ferrell, James Caan, Ed Asner, Bob Newhart, Jon Favreau sont sur eBay Comparez les prix et les spcificits des produits neufs et d'occasion Pleins d'articles en livraison gratuite! He is Buddy and Michael Hobbs's father, Emily Hobbs's husband, Jovie's father-in-law, and Susie's paternal grandfather. "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. People recognizing me from Saturday Night Live going, You OK? My goal is to do good work and not quit trying.". Greg Doherty/Getty Images for The Salvation Army. Movie tough guy James Caan, whose work spanned generations in such big-screen classics as "The Godfather," "Misery" and "Elf," died Wednesday, his family said. A revival hit in time for Christmas 2012, and national tours have been recurring. Buddy's iconic costume was modeled off of the elves from the 1964 Rankin/Bass film Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. While reporter Charlotte is interviewing people about seeing Santas sleigh in Central Park, a man takes over the interview by complimenting her. Speaking of Gimbels, although Favreau chose the department store for its ties to another Christmas classic, Miracle on 34th Street, it had gone out of business by 2003. So by the second weekend, Kattan had dropped the whole affectation he was doing and was like (Ferrell makes a face of bitter boredom), 'Santa's over there, kid.'". Free shipping for many products! Favreau chose that location so that Ferrells character would be kicked out of the Empire State Building and stumble directly into the store decorated like the North Pole. Patrick Ferrell is listed as one of the security guards, and he appears to be Wills real-life brother. What I'm more proud of actually is the narwhal when it comes up out of the water, when Buddy's leaving the North Pole, that's my voice: Bye, Buddy.