The casting director for 'Elf' would pick this other 'SNL' alum to star in a remake

Erin Jensen, USA TODAY
Updated ·2 min read
24

With Thanksgiving officially in the rearview mirror, you may be dreaming of a white Christmas; meanwhile the casting director of "Elf" is dreaming up a remake.

Twenty years ago, moviegoers were introduced to Buddy (Will Ferrell), the smiley tall elf who'd left the North Pole in search of his biological father, the tough Walter Hobbs (James Caan).

The film's casting director Susie Farris revealed her pick for star of a remake of the holiday film in an interview with People magazine (though one is not currently in the works). Farris selected another "Saturday Night Live" alum for the role: Bill Hader.

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Bill Hader, "Elf" casting director Susie Farris' pick for a remake.
Bill Hader, "Elf" casting director Susie Farris' pick for a remake.

"I just think that he's quirky and endearing," Farris told the outlet.

Hader, who didn't overlap with Ferrell at "SNL" has one holiday film under Santa's belt. He and Anna Kendrick starred as Santa Claus' kids in Disney's 2019 feature "Noelle."

Ferrell disclosed in a 2021 interview with The Hollywood Reporter that he worried "Elf" might "be the end" of his career. The movie raked in more than $220 million in global box office sales, but Ferrell turned down a proposed sequel and a $29 million pay day.

Will Ferrell starred as Buddy in the 2003 holiday comedy "Elf."
Will Ferrell starred as Buddy in the 2003 holiday comedy "Elf."

“I would have had to promote the movie from an honest place, which would’ve been, like, ‘Oh no, it’s not good. I just couldn’t turn down that much money,’" he told THR. "And I thought, ‘Can I actually say those words? I don’t think I can, so I guess I can’t do the movie.'”

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In 2020, Ferrell virtually reunited with his onscreen "Elf" love interest Zooey Deschanel, and other cast members — Ed Asner, Bob Newhart, Andy Richter, Amy Sedaris and Mary Steenburgen — for a Democratic fundraiser.

John Lithgow, Wanda Sykes, Ed Helms and other stars joined, playing various roles during a live "Elf" virtual script table-read. By the end, the reunion surpassed its goal of raising more than $400,000 for the Democratic Party of Georgia.

Contributing: Bryan Alexander

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Elf' casting director would pick this 'quirky' 'SNL' alum for remake