Will Ferrell recently reflected on the enduring legacy of Elf, the beloved holiday film that first premiered over 20 years ago. In an interview with People, the 57-year-old actor shared his gratitude for being part of a movie that has become a cherished classic for so many families.
“It’s really quite special. I mean, it continues to grow by leaps and bounds, and it continues to kind of entrench itself as kind of a holiday classic for people. I’m so lucky to have a movie like that in my catalog.”
Ferrell noted the widespread appeal of the film, saying it resonates beyond just the holiday season:
“It really means so much to so many people. And not only during the holidays, but year-round. I have people come to me saying, ‘We watch Elf on July 4th. We just love it.’”
For Ferrell, the success of Elf represents the unpredictable magic of filmmaking:
“You never really have an idea of what’s going to land with people, and I love the fact that this movie continues to resonate in a way that’s pretty incredible.”
While Elf remains iconic, plans for a sequel never came to fruition, even though Ferrell was reportedly offered a significant paycheck. He previously shared that he declined to participate because the proposed story didn’t feel authentic or strong enough to justify revisiting the character. Instead, he is content knowing Elf stands tall as a standalone holiday treasure.
