At the end of filming, Favreau said, Ferrell gave his costar a wrap gift. For allElf's Christmas magic, Berenbaum's most important scene is watching Walter hug Buddy at the end. He also made a cameo in another of his brothers movies, The Other Guys, in 2010, this time as one of two precinct detectives. Even though its already nearly 20 years old, Elf sits firmly in the classic Christmas film canon. 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. ', Of course, it was the former. Every day on set, I thought you were way too over-the-top. Needless to say, we did have a fair amount of fittings to be sure we struck the right balance between absurd and adorable.". Originally, Favreau wanted to use Macy's, but the brand refused to show a Macy's Santa being unmasked (unbearded) as a fake. 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. We know now that Elf was a massive success, and it's become a welcome addition to the Christmas canon just like Favreau and Berenbaum wanted. This explains why he's most proud of his cameo as Mr. Narwhal. The following year, Caan married actress and costume designer Linda Stokes, with whom he had two more sons, James and Jacob. (But people in those scenes did have to sign releases.) And the cast struggled, too. 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. Hes prickly, but not a complete jerk, tough but vulnerable. And Elf's workshops were modeled after the Rankin/Bass designs, as were the stop-motion animals of the area. Favreau pushed to take out this element. In the years following Elf, Caan acted in films like Get Smart (2008), For the Love of Money (2012) and Holy Land (2019). A natural brunette, Zooey Deschanelsported light blonde locks as Jovie, Buddy's fellow Gimbels elf and love interest. As he told The Washington Post some 42 years ago, Everyplace I go, I spend half my time undoing Sonny Corleone.. 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, 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. Their ultimate goal was not box office glory (although that would be nice.) . 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. Who didnt love Bob as Papa Elf, the man who raised Buddy as his own? See What The 'Elf' Cast Looks Like Now: Photos of Stars His specific casting in that role adds to obviously why it works so well., Caan has a great sense of humor. He told Rolling Stone that it was an essential part of the movie'sretro Christmas feel, with a particular nod to Rankin/Bass. The elves' costumes in Elf were inspired by those worn by Hermey and his peers in the animated film. "We were half-joking, saying, Maybe someday this will be like Christmas Story where every year they'll watch it.'". Because were using a Santa, of course, everybody thinks Macy's. 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.. Ming Ming the elf is played by A Christmas Story star Peter Billingsley in a cameo role, a casting move Favreau made for a specific reason. 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. Leon the Snowman was another character inspired by the 1964 animation, and he looks very much like Rudolphs Sam the Snowman with his mustache, goatee, hat, and all-around dapper appearance. "I took a look at the script, and I wasn't particularly interested," he told Rolling Stone. However, he has made quick cameos in many Christmas movies. And the third. But now I see what you're doing. "And they said, 'No, you have to keep your hair what it was in the meeting.' Well, believe it or not, the film actually debuted on Nov. 7, 2003 and yes, that comes out to a whole 18 years ago! Here are eight things you might not know about the movie "Elf.". 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 Untold Truth Of Elf - Looper Elf was also initially intended to be a bit more sinister, withdirector Jon Favreaurevealing to Rolling Stone, "He was a darker character.". Find out more about how we use your personal data in our privacy policy and cookie policy. Inspired by the Christmas specials he grew up with, Favreau explained in the film's commentary track that he employed old techniques instead of CGI whenever possible. It didnt sweep at Cannes; ponderous documentaries wont be made about it. But a good way into production, the New Line legal department panicked. And so forth until you cant remember how many times youve watched it. Edward Chiodo told Art of the Title. 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). crooning Baby, Its Cold Outside with Zooey Deschanels Jovie, declawing kittens in New York has been made illegal, he appears to be Wills real-life brother, 1960s movie from Roger Patterson and Bob Gimlin, concert in Central Park actually occurred in 1981. This development was great for the screenplay, but it's also the reason Elf almost never happened. It's probably not much of a shocker that much of these were added in post, considering Buddy's perfect aim. Photo Gallery; Trailers and Videos; Details. Another theme Berenbaum wanted to explore was a son looking for an absent father. 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. 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. Will Ferrell drew viewers in as the iconic Buddy the Elf in 2003's Elf . The anxiety etched on Ferrell's face in these scenes is real. He also later revealed he voiced the character of Mr. Narwhal. Thats, to me, the greatest joy., 3. And as it turns out,Elf was his second screenplay the first, Christmas in New Jersey, was a Christmas rom-com. He told Blackfilm in 2003, "The appeal of it was to be able to shoot a film that would be funny but also heartfelt and be a different type of thing for me to do something that a family audience would see. Speaking to The Guardian about his decision the following year, Ferrell admitted that it was a lot of money but said he had no regrets. 'Elf' Movie: Things I Noticed Rewatching In 2021 But Will would bust his balls a lot. James Caan, Oscar-nominated actor of 'The Godfather,' 'Misery' and 'Elf When David Berenbaum's spec script first emerged in 1993, Carrey was pre-Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and attached to front the Christmas film. That's no coincidence. Hope you find your dad." Favreau said, laughing. Who Is the Mother of Love Is Blind Season 3 Star Bartise Bowdens Son? 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.. Whenever wed go into an Italian restaurant, theyd put on The Godfather soundtrack. "I ingested a lot of sugar in this movie and I didn't get a lot of sleep," Ferrell told The Sun. James Caan, 'The Godfather' and 'Elf' Actor, Dies at 82 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. New Line Cinema. Grizzled Mark Acheson's casting as Buddy's drinking buddy concerned execs because of the line, "I'm 26 years old." One such scene of his well-meaning mayhem featured Buddy playing hockey on a frozen pond. The first script for Elf was actually written in 1993, with Jim Carrey in mind to play the titular Santa's helper. According to Berg, on his first day on set, he gave a speech in which he asked to be called Jimmy the Dream. James is still acting into his 80s with films like Redemption and Never Too Late. When you watch Elf for the umpteenth time this Christmas season, be on the lookout for these moments you missed. 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? One Elf element Deschanel isn't a fan of is her character's blonde hair. 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. 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. We, Yahoo, are part of the Yahoo family of brands. The New York Times called his presence "a lunatic bonhomie that lights a welcome spark.". When Im working with improv people, I give them the green light to just bring it and try things. Hanukkah is great but there's kind of nothing like rushing down on Christmas morning and opening up presents," he told Philadelphia City Paper in 2013. Instead, they created the window where Buddy sleeps inside the Empire State Building with a very short turnaround time, as Smith told Entertainment Weekly. "That's probably my most famous role of anything I've ever done because that's the one that's on T-shirts and sweaters," he told ABC. Artie has found himself in trouble with the law several times, but he still acts on shows like Crashing. 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. Yes, even if youve seen it a million times. Fun fact: Redbone also sings Baby, Its Cold Outside with Deschanel during the credits. Your source for entertainment news, celebrities, celeb news, and celebrity gossip. 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. They gutted an old insane asylum and made it a sound studio, Lange said of the Vancouver shooting location. In 2006, he turned down a $29 million offer nearly the entire budget of the first movie to put Buddy's tights back on. The first one is a little bit slow, but the second two are really good.' Greg Doherty/Getty Images for The Salvation Army. Rather than standard jack-in-the-boxes that would pop at the song's end, these were remote controlled by Favreau, who purposely manipulated their timing to toy with his star and get authentic reactions. Summer Houses Lindsay Hubbard and Carl Radke React to Scandoval: Crazy, Inside Hannah Godwin, Dylan Barbour's Wedding: Bachelor Nation Guest List, Where 'Love Is Blind' Couple Lauren Speed, Cameron Hamilton Stand Today, Paris Hilton's Son's 'Over-the-Top' Nursery: Details on $1M Baby's Room. The actors literally only had one shot to bust it apart. Production designer Rusty Smith told Netflix, "It is one of the creepiest places I've ever been in my life." Not only is the real Santa played by the late Ed Asner, who voiced Lou Grant from Pixars Up, but if you feel like youve seen Asners Santa before, thats because you probably have. But Caan soon put their fears to rest. My goal is to do good work and not quit trying.". Will Ferrell and Bob Newhart in "Elf,"2003. But hey, everyone knows the sequel is never as good as the original, so maybe it was for the best. Ferrell told Blackfilm it was one of his favorite scenes to film. 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. There's a Christmas Story cameo in Elf. The director eventually cast him in 1972's The Godfather, earning Caan his sole Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. So it was very painstaking.. So, the Chiodos ramped up their schedule. But she didn't dye her hair for this role. I can make some money, let my kids do what the hell they want to do,'" he said on 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland. Mary Steenburgen, who played Buddy's stepmother, had to eat a bite of syrup-covered spaghetti and pretend to like it for Buddy's sake. He was an Oscar nominee, for his role in "The Godfather." For that role, he earned an Emmy nomination. And we decided to set it in a building catty-corner to the Empire State Building, he said. The elf Ming Ming oversees toy production and unintentionally helps Buddy realize hes a human. ", ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty, Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection, Byron J. 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