Will Ferrell was offered $29 million to star in Elf 2. He read the script and realized it was terrible. He told his agent he couldn't lie to the fans just for a paycheck. He walked away from $29 million. To keep the first movie special.
Will Ferrell Was Offered $29 Million for Elf 2. He Said No.
Every holiday season, Elf returns to television screens as one of the most beloved Christmas movies ever made. Naturally, Hollywood wanted a sequel.
Will Ferrell was offered $29 million to reprise his role as Buddy the Elf. He said no.
His reason was refreshingly simple. "I would have had to promote the movie from an honest place," Ferrell told The Hollywood Reporter, "which would have been, like, 'Oh no, it's not good. I just couldn't turn down that much money.'"
In an industry where actors routinely sign on for mediocre sequels, Ferrell left $29 million on the table to avoid making a bad movie. To this day, he has expressed no regrets.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Verified Fact
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Source: Today.comShow verification details
Confirmed by Ferrell himself in The Hollywood Reporter and Rolling Stone. $29M figure confirmed.