The beloved 2003 holiday film Elf came perilously close to never making it to screens, according to a new oral history by co-authors Andy Richter and Aaron Karo. The book, titled "Elf Unwrapped," details the numerous ways the Christmas comedy nearly failed to materialize.
Richter, who starred as Morris, a colleague of Walter Hobbs, and Karo spoke with DECIDER about the book's revelations. Richter, whose podcasting experience helped him secure interviews, noted the generosity of those involved, including stars Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel, and director Jon Favreau.
"People were incredibly generous with their time," Richter said. "A couple people said, ‘I don’t do this, but it’s you, so I’ll do it.’ So that’s nice. I guess it pays to have dirt on people."
Karo admitted he was initially unaware of Elf’s significant fanbase, joking that he thought a book project about a "Christmas classic" might be about Die Hard. He described the fan reaction to the book's subject as enthusiastic, likening it to Buddy the Elf's excitement upon learning Santa is real.
The co-authors detailed the extensive interview process, with Richter handling most of the outreach and interviews. He described his role as the "secret weapon" in securing access to key figures. The book also touches on potential sequel scripts, including one written by U2's The Edge, which was never produced.
One of the most surprising aspects for the authors was how uncertain the film's production was. "Nobody was a sure bet," Richter stated. "Everybody was fairly fresh and untested in terms of feature films."
The oral history also delves into casting "what-ifs," such as Chris Farley being considered for the role of Buddy, Gary Shandling for Walter Hobbs, and Katie Holmes and Selma Blair as contenders for Jovie. The filmmakers considered making Jovie a skateboarder, a skill Selma Blair possessed.
The book also uncovers an anecdote from the Elf premiere after-party where a New Line executive received a pirated DVD of the film from a Time Warner CEO, highlighting the piracy concerns of the era.
"Elf Unwrapped" features insights from a wide range of individuals involved in the film, offering a comprehensive look at the making of the holiday favorite. Richter and Karo also shared their personal favorite Christmas movies, with Karo favoring Die Hard and its sequel, while Richter champions the 1951 adaptation of A Christmas Carol starring Alastair Sim and It's A Wonderful Life.