Director Richard Curtis Says Will Ferrell Should Have Had Oscar Nomination For Elf
The legendary screenwriter and director said comedies are often overlooked by award ceremonies
Love Actually director Richard Curtis reckons Will Ferrell should have had an Oscar nomination for his role in Elf.
Curtis, who wrote a slew of Britain's most loved romantic comedies such as Notting Hill and Four Weddings and a Funeral, said in a recent interview that award ceremoies often overlook the comedy genre.
Speaking to the BBC, Curtis said actors who star in comedy flicks are 'particularly' overlooked.
He said: "I always get very antsy about the fact that Will Ferrell didn't get nominated for Elf.
"Or that Peter Sellers didn't get nominated for Inspector Clouseau.
"But it's the price you pay, as it were. Comedies tend to make a bit of money, and then you don't get the prizes."
Curtis is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science, meaning he can vote for who wins an Oscar and says he would have been happy to vote for Ferrell had he been nominated.
He added: "I think it's a real issue that comedy isn't respected as much... but I do try and push for comedy performances whenever I can."
Curtis might be even more upset to learn that Ferrell was offered a shedload of cash to star in a sequel to the 2003 Christmas classic, but turned it down.
Elf was such a smash hit, the studio behind it was keen to make a second movie - it was written and a whopping $29 million was on offer for Ferrell if he decided to reprise the role of Buddy the Elf. But it wasn't to be - as he wasn't won over by the story.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter last year, he said: "I would have had to promote the movie from an honest place, which would've been, like, 'Oh no, it's not good. I just couldn't turn down that much money.' And I thought, 'Can I actually say those words? I don't think I can, so I guess I can't do the movie'."
Incredibly, despite what Curtis thinks, there was a time in his life when Ferrell was concerned that the role of Buddy would be a career ender.
Ferrell admitted to James Corden in 2018 that he did wonder whether it was a good move for him.
He says he remembers a time when he was 'running around New York in his silly yellow tights, thinking, 'Boy, this could be the end',' while filming the movie.
Thankfully, that wasn't the case - and with his career going from strength to strength there's still a chance he'll nab himself an Oscar nomination at some point.
Featured Image Credit: New Line Cinema/AlamyTopics: TV and Film, Will Ferrell
Claire Reid