A radiant star at the top of the list of favorite Christmas movies is the cherished 2003 film, Elf, starring Will Ferrell. Celebrating its two-decade-long journey, the movie’s casting director, Susie Farris, entertained the idea of revisiting the classic in the form of a remake or sequel. And, she seems to already have some casting ideas up her sleeve – imagine SNL’s Bill Hader as the quirky elf, Buddy!
Susie Farris, in an interview with PEOPLE, confessed to fancying Hader for the role if a remake were to transpire. She is equally enthusiastic about the narrative direction it could take, sharing her dream scenario of Buddy as a doting father.
“Off the top of my head, I’m just going to say Bill Hader. I just think that he’s quirky and endearing and yeah, I’d like to see Bill Hader.”
Susie Farris
Ferrell has previously expressed his reservations about reprising the role in a sequel. However, a change of heart from the Barbie star could catalyze a sequel, believes Farris. She wishes to see Ferrell stepping back into his fabled, elf shoes, with Buddy taking up the mantle of fatherhood.
“I think if Will wanted to do a sequel, there would be a sequel. Creatively, I hope that he is very fulfilled in life, but I’d like him to do this.. I want to see Buddy as a dad.”
Susie Farris
For Buddy’s now-teenage daughter, last seen as a baby at the movie’s end, Farris has Elle Fanning and McKenna Grace in mind. Nonetheless, these remain wishful musings for now, as there are presently no plans for a remake or sequel to Elf.
Elf is a Christmas Classic
The story of Buddy, a human raised amongst elves, who travels to New York City in search of his biological father, captivated audiences worldwide. Elf, a brainchild of Will Ferrell and Jon Favreau, who later become Marvel Cinematic Universe’s and Star Wars’ indispensable assets, was a key milestone in their careers.
Heartwarming, humorous, and brimming with Yuletide spirit, Elf rounds out the pantheon of holiday favorites, joining the likes of Home Alone and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. In the movie, Ferrell embodies Buddy, seamlessly balancing comedy and the poignant tale of identity discovery, a feat that endeared fans for years beyond the box office success.
The movie went on to spawn a Broadway musical adaptation in 2010, which garnered worldwide acclaim. Nevertheless, as audiences reminisce their favorite versions, it appears their hopes for a new chapter in the saga will not materialize anytime soon. That is, of course, unless Susie Farris’ Christmas wish comes true.
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