Why Will Ferrell Didn't Get Spidey Role and 9 More Awesome Ferrell-isms
For those of you unfamiliar with Reddit-speak, ‘AMA’ stands for Ask Me Anything, and “Anchorman 2” star Will Ferrell did one on Tuesday filled with hilarious and, of course, classy information.
Ferrell did the AMA in support of his favorite non-profit, Cancer for College — though we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that the web chat was also timed well, for this week’s release of “The Lego Movie,” in which he voices the evil Lego character President Business.
The often bizarre questions from the Reddittors inspired answers there were more frequently joke replies than serious responses. Nevertheless, here’s what we ‘learned’ from Ferrell today:
1. Fans don’t repeat his dialogue.
Q: How often do people come up to you with Ron Burgundy quotes, or any other movie quotes?
A: Zero times. It has never happened. Sadly I’m still waiting for it to happen.
[Related: 7 George Clooney AMA Discoveries Including the Most Monumental Mullet Ever]
2. He’s still bitter about losing the ‘Spider-Man’ gig.
Q: Is there any movie role, outside of comedy, that you wish you could have landed?
A: Yes. It was down to me or Tobey Maguire for “Spider-Man” and they harshly told me I was too fat for the suit. That having been said, every time I watch “Spider-Man” I still think I was the better actor for the role.
3. ‘The LEGO Movie’ has brought love and harmony to the Ferrell household.
Q: So how cool/weird is it that you’re now a Lego minifigure?
A: It is fantastic to have my own Lego of President Business/Lord Business. Now my children actually will talk to me. Prior to this moment, they really wanted nothing to do with me. And that’s not a joke.
[Related: See How Will Ferrell, Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, and Will Arnett Get Their Lego On]
4. To hate Sweden is to love it, and vice-versa.
Q: My Swedish friends bring up the fact that your wife is Swedish every time we watch one of your movies. What do you hate most about Sweden?
A: There’s a lot to hate about Sweden. Beautiful people, the high cheek bones, the fact that every person speaks better english than we do and the durability and great warranty plans on a brand new Volvo.
5. And his stripper name was …
Q: Cheez-its or Cheese Nips?
A: How dare you. Cheese Nips are racist.
edit: Sorry for my reaction. Cheese Nips was my stripper name and it brings back bad memories.
[Related: Lego Supes! No, Not More ‘Batman vs. Superman’ Bombshells, Just an Awesome Spoof]
6. Mark Wahlberg has a delightful odor.
Q: Does Mark Wahlberg smell nice?
A: Yes, it goes without saying. His scent is a pleasing combination of vanilla and leather.
7. He loved the cowbell sketch, too.
8. He just doesn’t have the magic in him.
Q: Are you a wizard?
A: No, unfortunately I’m not. I have attempted to be a wizard on several occasions. I studied for about a year and a half at Ansontolliver’s Wizard School … it wasn’t a full year and a half. At the conclusion of which, Anson pulled me aside and said, “I don’t want you to waste any more of your money with me. I think it’s best for me to let you know you don’t have what it takes to be a wizard.” And for however sad I was on that day, I respect Anson so much for giving me the straight talk.
9. Pearl’s bite is even worse than her bark.
Q: Did Pearl ever follow through on her threats to evict you?
A: Yes, she absolutely did. I lived in an abandoned bus for 6 months behind a casino in the City of Commerce. She’s a hateful person.
10. He’s actually Chad Smith, drummer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Incidentally, the former SNL funnyman is giving away some signed cowbells, bottles of Super Sexy Hot Tan sunscreen, the grand daddy perk of them all: a trip to Palm Springs, CA to spend ‘a nice little getaway’ with Ferrell himself, and more — all in the name of Cancer for College.
