MovieChat Forums > Elf (2003) Discussion > James Caan Says There’s No ‘Elf 2’ Becau...

James Caan Says There’s No ‘Elf 2’ Because Will Ferrell and Jon Favreau ‘Didn’t Get Along’

posted 4 years ago by TMC-4 (20123)
16 replies | jump to latest

yahoo.com/entertainment/james-caan-says-no-elf-010033192.html

James Caan says there wont be a sequel to the hit Christmas fantasy-comedy “Elf” because headliner Will Ferrell and director Jon Favreau “didn’t get along.”

“”We were gonna do it and I thought, ‘Oh my god, I finally got a franchise movie, I could make some money, let my kids do what the hell they want to do.’ And the director and Will didn’t get along very well,” Caan told Cleveland’s 92.3 The Fan’s Bull & Fox show on Friday. “So, Will wanted to do it, he didn’t want the director, and he had it in his contract, it was one of those things.”

The Will Ferrell holiday movie, first released in 2003, centered on Buddy (Ferrell), a human who was adopted and raised by Santa’s elves. Buddy learns about this and heads to New York City to meet his biological father (Cann) while also spreading Christmas cheer in a world of cynics in the process. “Elf” also starred Zooey Deschanel, Mary Steenburgen, Daniel Tay, Bob Newhart and Ed Asner.

Made on a budget of just $33 million, the film was a box office hit and grossed $220.4 million in world wide box office. “Elf” is considered one of the greatest Christmas movies and in 2017, Fandango users rated “Elf” the best Christmas film of the 21st century.

Representatives for Ferrell did not immediately respond to a request for comment from TheWrap. Favreau’s representative didn’t immediately have a comment.

[–] GirlNamedSue (240) 4 years ago

Another sad happenstance of the illogical decision to use Ferrell in this film. Why don't they simply recast Ferrell?

[–] melissah1982 (883) 4 years ago

I don't think it would make as much money. Liking Ferrell or not (he annoys me sometimes) he's 'Buddy' and to switch him out wouldn't work. I never got over them switching out Rhodey in Iron Man and he was just a secondary character at the time that movie came out. They would have been better off just casting someone else. But, this is the way Hollywood works, sadly. But...to be honest. Maybe it's better that there is only one. sometimes movies like these don't work well in the sequel department....it could be great and you have a 'Home Alone 2" or it could be completely terrible and be a 'A Christmas Story 2'. sometimes it's best to just quit while you're ahead.

[–] ThrillerTalk (1118) 4 years ago

I think in this case it could work just fine with the right story behind it. All they'd need to do is just start fresh with a completely different baby played by somebody else. This baby also finds his way up to the north pole in Santas toy bag then they go from there and keep going.

[–] GirlNamedSue (240) 4 years ago

Agree. I read recently that Jim Carrey was the first choice to play Buddy, so it seems this film was destined to stink. I would love if they did a reboot with a young charming lead actor and maybe a sequel or two.

[–] Crocodile (3127) 3 years ago

[deleted]

[–] SlackerInc (1101) 3 years ago

Are you kidding? I find Will Ferrell overrated in general, but he absolutely embodied this part.

[–] GirlNamedSue (240) 3 years ago

I simply don't agree. Buddy should have had charm and warmth. Ferrell's Buddy was unlikeable. Miscast. Hope they remake this.

[–] BeaSouth (3283) 4 years ago

Hey TMC-4: nice job on finding this link and posting. I love trivia and insightful info like this on movies. MovieChat has devolved into a troll farm and political flame throwing contest. You renewed my faith a little about this site

[–] rateater (10014) 4 years ago

so, no will ferrel star wars cameos ?

[–] strntz (12225) 4 years ago

I wouldn't see it anyway unless they recast or reboot. I like Caan, but thought he was wrong for this. Ferrell on the other hand is wrong for everything. Fandango users rate this as the best film of the 21st century? Wow. If this stinker is the best of the century thus far, the century got off to a bad start Christmas movie wise.

[–] Tommy (185) 3 years ago

Unfortunate if this really was the reason there was no sequel as opposed to the script not being worth making. Not that the first Elf wasn’t enough, but a worthy sequel would be a worthy sequel regardless of if it’s “needed”. I always respect the filmmakers that turn down bad films, but we’ll never know now if an Elf 2 could have been worth the time.

Just a hunch here, but I’d be willing to bet that it’s more in Farrell’s court if there was any bad blood with him and Favreau. Even if the issues were mutual to an extent I think Favreau wouldn’t outright refuse to work with someone if there were some difficulties. And Chris Kattan spilled the beans a while back that Farrell didn’t want anything to do with him anymore after A Night at the Roxbury. Farrell definitely has the right to his feelings, though.

[–] TMC-4 (20123) 3 years ago

http://www.agcwebpages.com/BLINDITEMS/2021/NOVEMBER.html

340. ENTERTAINMENT LAWYER 11/30 **4**

https://www.crazydaysandnights.net/2021/11/blind-item-4_30.html

I have been telling you for years that this A list mostly movie comic actor is not the nice guy he seems. Don't you find it interesting the number of actors and directors that never want to work with him again. It is one of the reasons why there has never been a sequel to a holiday favorite. A script has been ready for years. Will Ferrell/"Elf" (Why Will Ferrell cut off ‘Anchorman’ director Adam McKay: He ‘f – – ked up’) https://nypost.com/2021/11/29/why-will-ferrell-and-anchorman-director-adam-mckay-ended-friendship/

[–] strntz (12225) 3 years ago

I don't know why they either don't simply recast Ferrell for the sequel or just simply reboot the franchise. Face it, they screwed up big when they cast Farrell in the first place, and I'm talking from a performance standpoint. The behind the scenes bitching doesn't concern me one bit.

I saw Elf once and will never sit through it again even though I always liked Bob Newhart's quirky comedy delivery.

[–] WrepDrep (379) 2 years ago

I'm not the biggest Will Ferrell fan out there.....but his size and shtick were perfect for this.
Tall, hysterical, extremely naive man-child who thinks he's an Elf.
That's Will Ferrell.

You must be trolling or having serious cognitive issues if you think he was miscast.

[–] strntz (12225) 2 years ago

I'm not trolling so it must be cognitive issues.

But I'm not alone with this affliction. A disproportionate percentage of viewers find him equally untalented, unfunny, and flat out unlikable. When casting, it would be a good idea to cast someone who even us cognitively impaired viewers might like, because there are more of us than you apparently know about.

[–] BOandBarbecue (2264) 2 years ago

doesnt will farrell have enough star powers to hire new director? why would a director be in way of franchise? just pay him off and make new elves film.

funny thing, jon favrau is jewish hahaha. ironic he direct a christmas film. richard donner was jewish and direct scrooged and did not get along with bill murrays.