Will Ferrell Says This 'Elf' Co-Star Told Him He Wasn't 'Funny' On Set

Will Ferrell revealed that the late James Caan would tease him by telling him he wasnt funny while filming the iconic holiday comedy Elf .

Ferrell in a recent appearance on the MeSsy podcast with Christina Applegate and Jamie-Lynn Sigler spoke of his concerns over whether Elf would be disastrous before recalling his time on set with Caan, who died in 2022 .

I like to do bits, but at the same time, Im not like on all the time. ... In between setups, hed be like, I dont get you. Youre not funny. Youre not funny, said Ferrell, who noted that Caans jabs were with love.

And Im like, I know, Im not Robin Williams, Im not like , hes like, People ask me, like, is he funny? Im like, No, hes not funny.

The Saturday Night Live alum later recalled walking out of the theater following the premiere of Elf when his co-star gave him the best compliment.

He was like, Ive 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, its brilliant, said Ferrell, who played Buddy in the classic holiday movie.

He continued, But I love that the whole time, like hes not acting. Hes truly annoyed with me. Hes like, Can this guy shut the fuck up? Jesus. So I literally drove him crazy in that movie, just acting like that kid. But that was so funny, hes walking out, shaking his head and going like great job, I thought you were way too over the top. But no its brilliant, its brilliant.

Elf director Jon Favreau, in a 2020 interview with Rolling Stone , revealed that Ferrell returned jabs at Caan on set, as well.

Will gave him, as a wrap gift he wrote a note that said, Great working with you. The first one is a little bit slow, but the second two are really good. And it was The Godfather trilogy, Favreau recalled.

Ferrell told the MeSsy podcast that it was scripted a little more that Caan would get more frustrated and lose his temper on him in the film.

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And he didnt want to do any of that, Ferrell said.

He wanted to save it till that moment in the boardroom where he kicks me out and kicks me out of his life. No, its gotta be a slow build, and he was totally right.

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