So they settled on Gimbels, a now defunct NY department store–the exterior was shot at 5th Avenue and E 30th St and decorated with CGI.

What store did they use for Gimbels in Elf?

Manhattan's Textile Building was used as the exterior shot for Gimbels in the movie, according to the IMDb page for "Elf." CGI was used to transform the building's facade into a Christmas wonderland for the film, its IMDb page says.

Where is the coffee shop from Elf located?

Buddy enters the coffee shop scene in Elf

Though set in New York City, this scene was filmed quite a distance away in Vancouver, Canada. The location is 20 E Hastings Street, a spot that might not be instantly recognizable today due to changes over time.

Where was the Elf movie filmed?

Principal photography began on December 9, 2002, and wrapped on March 7, 2003. Filming took place in New York City, as well as in Vancouver and at Riverview Hospital in Coquitlam, British Columbia. The film makes heavy use of forced perspective to exaggerate the size of Buddy compared to all the other elves.

Why did Macy's refuse to be in Elf?

Macy's, however, didn't like the idea of being associated with an “imposter” Santa Claus, according to Favreau. So if “Elf” wanted to film at the Santaland in Macy's, or even mention Macy's in the movie, the scene had to go. “We had to think long and hard about it,” Favreau told Rolling Stone in 2013.

Elf (2003) Filming Locations

Who was originally supposed to play elf?

The original script for the movie in the early 1990s had comedian Jim Carrey chosen to star in the role of Buddy the Elf. Turns out, Carrey ended up playing a very different Christmas character in the 2000 film How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Who turned down the movie elf?

1. Jim Carrey as Buddy the Elf in Elf. The script for Elf was first written in 1993, and at the time, Carrey was attached to star in it. However, the movie did not immediately go into production, and by the time it did in 2003, Carrey was no longer interested in the role.

What happened to Buddy the Elf's mom?

Papa Elf reveals that Buddy was born to Walter Hobbs (James Caan) and Susan Wells and given up for adoption and that Walter never knew of his existence. He explains how Susan later died and that Walter now works at a children's book company in New York City.

How old was Will Ferrell when he filmed Elf?

This actually makes Buddy a fair amount younger than Will Ferrell himself, who was 35 years old at the time of Elf's filming, and 36 when the movie was released to theaters.

What scenes in Elf were real?

– The outdoor scenes shot in New York City feature real people so many of the reactions you see are genuine! – In fact, several minor traffic accidents occurred when Will Ferrell walked through the Lincoln Tunnel in his costume, because people were so surprised and distracted to see a grown man wearing an elf outfit.

Where was the Gimbels scene in Elf filmed?

So they settled on Gimbels, a now defunct NY department store–the exterior was shot at 5th Avenue and E 30th St and decorated with CGI.

What bridge is Buddy on in Elf?

Dejected, Buddy walks across the Queensboro Bridge – briefly contemplating the dark waters of the East River – before the unexpected appearance of Santa's sleigh streaking across the sky and plummeting into Central Park restores his will to live.

Was Elf filmed at Macy's?

As Favreau revealed to ABC News, the Elf team asked Macy's if they could use the store for the movie, but Macy's declined. He told the publication: "Because we're using a Santa, of course, everybody thinks Macy's. "But Macy's didn't like the idea that there was a fake Santa working there.

Where is the bridge in Central Park from Elf?

In honor of the 20 year anniversary of the movie Elf. This is the bridge in the scene where Buddy tries to redeem himself in Micheals eyes with his snowballing skills, seeing off the “bad news” kids. The Pine Bank Arch Bridge in Central Park is located at West 62nd Street.

Where does Buddy's dad work in Elf?

Walter, a selfish workaholic who seems to care about nothing other than making money, works as the Executive Vice President of Greenway Press, a children's book publishing firm in New York City's Empire State Building. However, he stopped being selfish at the end of the movie.

Did Zooey Deschanel really sing in the movie Elf?

Deschanel made her on-screen singing debut in The New Guy (2002). In Elf (2003), she sings "Baby, It's Cold Outside" with Will Ferrell in the bathroom shower scene, "Auld Lang Syne" with James Caan on piano and with Leon Redbone on the soundtrack.

Did Will Ferrell refuse Elf 2?

It was reported that Will was offered a whopping $29million to appear in a sequel but he still refused to budge for the massive pay cheque. Will, who has had previous success with Anchorman 2, Daddy's Home 2 and Zoolander 2, said it would be 'pathetic' to try and remake Elf.

Why was Zooey Deschanel blonde in Elf?

“I had to dye my hair blonde for a screen test for a movie that never happened before I did Elf,” Deschanel told Stylecaster in a March 2019 interview. “I went in for the meeting for Elf, and then I asked them, 'Could I dye my hair back to my natural color? ' And they said, 'No.

How much money has Will Ferrell made from Elf?

Elf was Will Ferrell's second box office hit. He reportedly received a whopping salary of $17 million for that film alone, more on par with what his talents would dictate in the mid-2000s. He was allegedly offered $29 million to act in an Elf sequel, but couldn't get his heart into it, so he turned it down.

How old was James Caan during Elf?

James Caan stars in Elf with Will Ferrell in 2003

The legendary actor was 82-years-old and had enjoyed an incredible 60-year career. During his time on the big screen he starred in some iconic pictures such as The Godfather, Dick Tracy and The Rain People to name but a few.

What year is Elf set in?

New York is a city in New York state. It is the main setting for Elf. New York City, in Elf, is set in 2003, 2 years after 9/11 at the World Trade Center. Buddy the elf goes there to find his father, Walter Hobbs, who is working at the Empire State Building.

Why did Will Ferrell refuse to do Elf 2?

Will Ferrell turned down a reported $29 million to make a sequel to "Elf." He told THR he turned it down because he couldn't promote it from "an honest place." Last year, his "Elf" costar James Caan said Ferrell and director Jon Favreau didn't get along.

Who else auditioned for Buddy the Elf?

Jim Carrey reportedly almost played Buddy.

Although Buddy is one of Ferrell's most well-known roles, Vulture reported that when the script was first circulating in 1993, Jim Carrey was the first choice to play the curious elf.

Who almost played Buddy the Elf?

Did you know that Jim Carrey almost played Buddy the Elf and that Will Ferrell turned down a massive payday to do a sequel? Unwrap more tidbits from Elf to celebrate its 20th anniversary.