Will Ferrell’s “Elf” Co-Star James Caan’s Brutal Honesty: “You’re Not Funny”

More than 20 years after it hit theaters, Will Ferrell is opening up about the filming of one of his biggest hits: Elf.

Ferrell, 56, played Buddy the Elf in the holiday comedy, an elf from the North Pole who learns his real father is a New York publishing executive (James Caan).

The film – the first major studio film from director Jon Favreau, five years before he would make Marvel Studios’ first movie, Iron Man – was a hit, earning $228.9 million worldwide from just a $33 million budget.

The funnyman appeared on his Anchorman co-star Christina Applegate’s Messy podcast with Jamie Lynn Sigler, where he admitted Caan didn’t think he was funny.

However, after seeing the finished film at the premiere, Caan would ultimately admit that Ferrell’s performance was ‘brilliant.’

More than 20 years after it hit theaters, Will Ferrell is opening up about the filming of one of his biggest hits: Elf

The funnyman appeared on his Anchorman co-star Christina Applegate ‘s Messy podcast with Jamie Lynn Sigler, where he admitted Caan didn’t think he was funny

Ferrell said that both he and Caan – who passed away in 2022 at 82 – ‘had such a good time working on that movie.’

‘In between set ups, [Caan] would be like, “I don’t get you. You’re not funny.” And I’m like, “I know. I’m not Robin Williams,”‘ Ferrell began. 

‘And he was like, “People ask me: Is he funny? And I’m like, No, he’s not funny.” It was all with love but at the same time….’ Ferrell admitted.

He added that Caan wouldn’t fully come to appreciate Ferrell’s work until he saw the finished film at the premiere.

‘And then we were walking out of the theater at the premiere, and we walk out together and I take it as the best compliment because it’s coming from James Caan,’ Ferrell began. 

‘He was like, “I’ve got to tell you: I thought everything you were doing while we were filming was way too over the top. Now that I see it in the movie, it’s brilliant,’” Ferrell said. 

‘But I love that the whole time, he’s not acting. He’s truly annoyed with me. He’s like, “Can this guy shut the f**k up? Jesus,”‘ Ferrell joked.

‘I literally drove him crazy in that movie, just acting like that kid. But that was the funniest thing, him walking out of the theater and shaking his head and going ‘it’s brilliant,”‘ Ferrell admitted.

Ferrell said that both he and Caan – who passed away in 2022 at 82 – ‘had such a good time working on that movie’

‘In between set ups, [Caan] would be like, “I don’t get you. You’re not funny.” And I’m like, “I know. I’m not Robin Williams,”‘ Ferrell began

The actor added that Caan even changed one of the scenes to have a more explosive argument between the two

‘It was scripted a little more that he would get more frustrated and lose his temper with me. And he didn’t want to do any of that,’ Ferrell said 

The actor added that Caan even changed one of the scenes to have a more explosive argument between the two.

‘It was scripted a little more that he would get more frustrated and lose his temper with me. And he didn’t want to do any of that,’ Ferrell said.

‘He wanted to save it until that moment in the boardroom when he kicks me out. He wanted it to be a slow build and he was totally right,’ Ferrell admitted.

The film was Ferrell’s first big movie after leaving Saturday Night Live, where he starred from 1995 to 2002, following a supporting turn in Old School.