Andy Richter reveals the ‘Elf’ we almost got with Chris Farley and 2 broken sequels

The countdown to the holiday season has officially begun, and if you’re anything like us here at Collider, you’re making a list (and checking it twice) of all the movies that celebrate the ultimate in Christmas cheer. There’s also a good chance you watched Elf enough times to get to know Buddy’s favorite food groups or why the best cup of coffee in the world isn’t that good. But even after more than 20 years, there’s still plenty about the Christmas classic that might surprise you.

For starters, Will Ferrell he was not the only actor considered to play Buddy the Elf, and Zooey Deschanel This was not Jovie’s first choice. And somewhere along the way, a much raunchier version of it Elf it really was. Imagine explaining that one to Santa! But as one of the stars of the film, Andrew Richter tells us ahead of the release of his new behind-the-scenes book, Uncovered Elf“The one we see is the best, and that never happens.”

After playing Morris in the 2003 holiday, Richter spent two years digging into the history of the film and interviewing the people who brought the annual classic to life. With his long research, Richter found a film that could have turned out very differentlyfrom his amazing casting choices to the creative tug-of-war behind the scenes and even a couple of sequences that never made it to the screen. As the actor and comedian explains, there is a reason Elf became a Christmas classic, and not just because Buddy knew how to spread some holiday cheer.

‘Elf’ almost starred Chris Farley and Katie Holmes

It’s really hard to imagine anyone but Ferrell playing Buddy, but the Christmas comedy almost had a different leading man. While researching Uncovered ElfRichter found that out Saturday Night Live alum Chris Farley He was once attached to the project, something he didn’t know even though he appeared in the film as an in-house writer at Greenway Press alongside James Caanand the curmudgeonly publisher, Walter Hobbs.

“Chris Farley was attached to the film at one pointwhich I did not know, and I do not know the extent of that connection [was]whether he meant it was by email or whether he said, ‘Yes, I’m interested,’” Richter said.

And while it’s impossible to know what Farley might have done with Buddy the Elf, Richter believes that it won’t last long SNL a star had the talent to make everything work. “Obviously it would have been different, but I think it could have been done,” Richter says. “But if it had a different director, that’s the other thing. I mean it’s the most impactful film John Favreau and Will Ferrell, and the combination of the two. So, it would probably be a funny, silly movie if he filmed with him.”

But even as Ferrell finally got the role, it wasn’t an easy sell at the time. Despite his success on the NBC sketch comedy series, some in Hollywood felt that he was unable to carry the film.. As Richter recalls, New Line’s Alterman Kent fought to get him the job, but not everyone shared his courage.

“You get people like Kent who worked for New Line and made this movie happen. “But then you get a lot of other people who are just like, ‘No, no. Not Will Ferrell. Adam SandlerThere are; Will Ferrell, no.’”

The wonder didn’t stop with Buddy either, as Richter learned Katie Holmes First offered the role of Jovie, the cynical, apathetic department store employee working at Gimbels. Meanwhile, the actor and comedian tells how Selma Blair consideration was also given to a version of the character who rode a skateboard. But of course, the part ultimately went to Deschanel, whose performance Richter praises in the book and during our conversation, saying that she is “just perfect for this part.”

Raunchier version of ‘Elf’ really exists, thanks to ‘Old School’

As strange as it sounds, there was a time when Elf there could be much more in common Old School than your average Christmas movie. During filming, Ferrell’s hit comedy hit theaters, giving Hollywood a taste of how funny it could be outside. SNL. Naturally, someone thought Buddy could benefit from a little more of that frat-boy humor.

“They also thought, ‘Well, Old School Is this movie great. Maybe we have to make a rough cut of Elf,” and I believe we did,” Richter reveals. “I don’t know how many people saw him, but there was a moment Elf a cut that was supposed to be some kind of frat boy humor or somethingand it was universally decided that it was not good.”

That wasn’t the only creative issue behind the scenes. As Richter shares, Ferrell and his writing partner Adam McKay they were leaning towards a more non-assertive, joke-heavy comedy, while Favreau had something sweeter in mind. The author and actor say that the difference between these approaches is exactly what made the film so interesting to revisit.

“It was the film that he and Adam were submitting at the time Anchormanand they could do nothing but success Elf she helped get Anchorman did,” he explains.”The would be Anchorman version of Elf. At the time, he and Adam were creative partners, so if it was up to them, you would have found out very unusual, strange. Elf that might be funny, but it wouldn’t have staying power. Your grandmother probably wouldn’t like it.”

However, Favreau wasn’t about to let the film lose its Christmas spirit. Richter says the director had a very clear goal, even if it meant holding back on the jokes: “Jon wants to do this, he wanted to do a Christmas classic, and he did. He wanted that kind of warm feeling. They both got what they wanted, I think, and as I say, it’s the combination of the two that makes it work. Will Ferrell just in a sentimental movie would be a waste of Will Ferrell.

‘Elf’ almost had two separate tracks – including one written by U2’s The Edge

As a Christmas movie that is an annual holiday tradition for so many households, that’s surprising Elf I never got a sequel. But that doesn’t mean that anyone tried. As Richter discovered during his research Uncovered Elf, Scott Armstrongan uncredited writer on the original film, has already written a rewrite. But in turn even a stranger, U2 guitar The Edge apparently he had his own ideas about bringing Buddy back as well.

“Shauna Robertsonone of the producers, telling us that someone had called her and said The Edge from U2, the guitarist from U2, wanted to talk to her because he had written the sequel to Elf,” Richter reveals with a laugh. “Then that meeting didn’t happen, so she’s like, ‘I don’t know what’s in that script, if it’s actually written, but apparently The Edge has written the Elf 2 script.‘“

Although there’s no telling what the second series would look like, Richter isn’t exactly losing sleep over their absence. He admits he would trust someone else Elf movie if Ferrell and Favreau were involved, but without them, it’s anyone’s guess. Richter has also seen what happens when Hollywood rushes to capitalize on a hit, he points out Frozen 2 for example. “Frozen 2 it came out so soon after, and it doesn’t make sense, and the songs aren’t great. It looks like a money grab,” he said, recalling that even his children weren’t thrilled with the overhaul.

For Richter, though, there’s something good about letting Buddy’s story end where it did. After all, not everyone who loves Christmas needs another trip to the North Pole. “I think the situation was so big that it didn’t happen. Everyone got busy doing other things, and then he left them,” he said. “And honestly, I don’t think it’s a bad thing. I think, like you said, Elf is perfectly fine on its own, and some things just need to be left alone and not risked Father 3. Just let the perfection be perfect. “

Uncovered Elf it will be available in bookstores and through digital retailers beginning November 2. And Elf available to watch this holiday season on Hulu.