Andy Richter Reveals the ‘Elf’ We Almost Got With Chris Farley and 2 Scrapped Sequels

Andy Richter’s research for his book about *Elf* has uncovered how different the 2003 Christmas film might have been, including alternative casting and abandoned sequel plans. He says the released film benefited from the combination of Will Ferrell and director Jon Favreau.

Chris Farley was attached to an earlier version of the project, though Richter does not know how firm that involvement was. Will Ferrell also faced doubts from some Hollywood figures, while Katie Holmes was offered the role of Jovie and Selma Blair was considered for a skateboard-riding version of the character; Zooey Deschanel ultimately played her.