Actor Will Ferrell recently shared his heartfelt appreciation for his beloved holiday film "Elf" as it marks over 20 years since its release. The 57-year-old star expressed his gratitude for being part of what has become a cherished holiday classic.
"It's really quite special," Ferrell remarked about the 2003 film. "It continues to grow by leaps and bounds, and continues to kind of entrench itself as kind of a holiday classic for people."
The movie, which follows Buddy the Elf's journey from the North Pole to New York City in search of his biological father, has struck a chord with audiences that extends beyond the holiday season. Ferrell noted that fans often tell him they watch the film year-round, even on occasions like July 4th.
The film's stellar cast included Zooey Deschanel, Mary Steenburgen, Peter Dinklage, and the late James Caan, under Jon Favreau's direction. It proved to be a massive box office success, earning over $220 million worldwide against a $33 million budget.
Despite the film's tremendous success, Ferrell made headlines in 2021 when he turned down a $29 million offer for an "Elf" sequel. His decision stemmed from concerns about the sequel's similar premise to the original. "I would have had to promote the movie from an honest place," Ferrell explained, noting he couldn't justify making the film solely for financial gain.
Two decades later, Ferrell remains grateful for the film's lasting impact. "I'm so lucky to have a movie like that in my catalog," he said, acknowledging how the film "really means so much to so many people."
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