Will Ferrell claims late actor James Caan told him he never found him ‘funny’ on set of Elf movie

Will Ferrell is widely regarded as one of the most successful comedians of all time. But it seems Hollywood icon James Caan didn’t quite see what all the fuss was about.

During an interview on the MeSsy podcast, Ferrell revealed that the late Godfather star didn’t fully connect with his sense of humour while they were filming the holiday classic Elf.

According to Ferrell, Caan, who played his on-screen father Walter Hobbs, often joked about Ferrell’s comedic chops.

He would frequently tell Ferrell, “You’re not funny,” as they filmed scenes together, showcasing a playful yet candid dynamic between the two actors.

The 57-year-old said, “James Caan - may he rest in peace, and we had such a good time working on that movie - he would tease me.”

He added, “We’d be in between setups, he was like, ‘I don’t get you. You’re not funny. You’re not funny.’ And I’m like, ‘I know! I’m not Robin Williams.’”

“He’s like, ‘People ask me, “Is he funny?” And I’m like, “No, he’s not funny!” It was all with love.”

The film Elf, directed by Jon Favreau and released in 2003, has since become a modern Christmas classic, grossing over $220 million worldwide against a modest budget of $33 million.

It follows Buddy, a human raised by elves at the North Pole, as he travels to New York City to find his biological father.

The film features a talented cast, including Zooey Deschanel and Ed Asner, and it has inspired numerous adaptations, including a Broadway musical. 

Interestingly, Caan expressed his appreciation for Ferrell’s performance only after seeing the completed film at its premiere.

He acknowledged that while he initially found Ferrell’s portrayal exaggerated, he ultimately recognized its brilliance in the final cut. 

Ferrell said, “And then we were walking out of the theatre at the premiere, and we walk out together, and I take it as the best compliment because it’s coming from James Caan.”

“He was like, ‘I’ve got to tell you: I thought everything you were doing while we were filming was way too over the top. Now that I see it in the movie, it’s brilliant.’”