Unveiling the Untold 'Elf': A 20th Anniversary Celebration

On the 20th anniversary of the Christmas classic film "Elf," producer Todd Komarnicki revealed that they turned down a director's proposal to make an "edgy" version of the movie, which included giving Buddy's love interest an abusive boyfriend. The film's success was credited to the casting of Will Ferrell as Buddy, and Zooey Deschanel as Jovie, who was initially considered the fifth choice for the role. The controversy surrounding the song "Baby, It's Cold Outside" was addressed by having Deschanel sing the "predator part" to make it more modern. Peter Billingsley, known for his role in "A Christmas Story," made a cameo appearance in the film. The iconic Buddy costume was sold at an auction for nearly $300,000. Despite a lucrative offer, Ferrell turned down a sequel to "Elf" due to his unwillingness to promote a movie he didn't believe in.