Will Ferrell says Asda Elf advert has finally helped him get paid what he deserved

Asda was recently crowned the winner of Christmas 2022 in many people's eyes after it released an unexpected Elf-inspired advert - and Will Ferrell is among its admirers.

You can check it out here:

The advert sees Ferrell's character Buddy from the hit 2003 movie apply for a job at one of the UK supermarkets, with shots from the film expertly cut into the ad as we watch the character embed himself in the supermarket, before ultimately securing the role.

Fans of the Christmas film were delighted with the ad - as was Ferrell himself, who seemingly landed himself a big pay day.

Speaking to Yahoo Entertainment UK to promote his new film Spirited, the actor was asked what he made of the advert.

The 55-year-old replied: "Well... it kind of helped me finally get paid market value for when I shot Elf."

He continued: "No, I thought it was well done."

Asked whether he would ever return to Elf, Ferrell said: "No, I think that would look strange - a 55-year-old man running around in tights.

"Yeah, I think Elf is its own entity."

So that's a shame re Elf, though quite probably the correct call, and no doubt the Asda lads will be buzzing with his ad feedback.

The idea was to bring some positivity this Christmas, as Havas London creative director, Rob Greaves, told The Grocer: "It's been a tough couple of years so we sort of thought, is there anyone more joyful than Buddy the elf?"

But obviously it was a risky strategy, because meddling with a Christmas classic as well loved as Elf could have backfired horribly if they'd got it wrong, with Asda brand communications senior director Stephi Brett-Lee admitting feeling 'half-excited and half-terrified because it's so iconic and so legendary'.

Asda

The team pulled it off though, as the advert has received great feedback from the general public - and now Ferrell himself, of course.

The ad's director, Danny Kleinman, said: "For me this was a unique challenge, working with an A-list Hollywood actor, without him being there in person, and crafting other actors around his iconic performance.

"It was important not only to make the action seamless but also convincingly transport him to a Christmas Asda store, creating a Hollywood feel to Asda's Christmas celebrations."