Will Ferrell recently reminisced about his time filming ‘Elf’ (2003), revealing how his energetic portrayal of Buddy the Elf genuinely annoyed his co-star James Caan.

Speaking on the podcast MeSsy with Christina Applegate and Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Ferrell disclosed that Caan didn’t need to act much in the Christmas classic because he was genuinely irritated. Despite Caan teasing him between takes, Ferrell acknowledged the dynamic enhanced their on-screen chemistry.

Eva Rinaldi, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ferrell also shared that Caan initially felt his portrayal was over-the-top, preferring a more subdued approach for his character. However, upon seeing the completed film, Caan praised Ferrell’s performance, admitting he had misjudged it during filming.

Reflecting on the film’s significance to his career post-Saturday Night Live, Ferrell expressed initial apprehension about its success but committed fully to the role of Buddy, which ultimately paid off.

Currently, Ferrell voices villain Maxime Le Mal in ‘Despicable Me 4’, now showing in cinemas.