Elf is one of the most beloved Christmas films among a certain set of people who don't like buying DVDs and then complain that the season is RUINED because no terrestrial TV channel is showing it.

But while the cast and crew making the movie believed it was destined to be a holiday hit, leading star Will Ferrell was actually worried it would ruin his career.

The actor, who played Buddy in the 2003 film that was directed by Iron Man and The Jungle Book helmer Jon Favreau, appeared on The Late Late Show with James Corden to talk about the movie.

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Related: Did you know there's a connection between Elf and Ghostbusters?

Ferrell was asked by Corden about rumours he was worried for his career during filming, and he replied: "Yeah, there were moments.

"The first two weeks of shooting were kind of all the exteriors in New York and so, you know, still kind of discovering what this movie’s going to be, and running around New York City in yellow tights.

"People recognising me from Saturday Night Live going, 'Are you okay? What’s going on?' and thinking to myself this is either going to be a home run or people are going to go, 'Whatever happened to you? Why did you do that one about the elf?’"

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Related: Will Ferrell reveals the Elf scene that always makes him cry

He even said that James Caan, who played his father in the film, told him at the premiere that he thought Ferrell was too over-the-top until he saw the performance on screen and realised it made sense.

We're just glad you finally realised, James.

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