Surprising secrets behind Xmas film Elf – from Will Ferrell’s ‘sugar headaches’ to the Hollywood superstar he replaced

WATCHING Elf might be a regular holiday tradition, but the Christmas comedy has a trove of behind-the-scenes secrets that may surprise even its most devoted fans.

From Will Ferrell’s dedication to Buddy’s sugary diet to the Hollywood heavyweight who nearly starred in the film, here are some fascinating facts about the making of Elf.

Will Ferrell’s Sweet Sacrifice

Will Ferrell didn’t fake Buddy’s love for sugary treats — he actually consumed all those maple syrup-drenched spaghetti meals and candy-covered breakfasts.

While it added authenticity to the role, it came at a cost.

Will admitted he suffered severe sugar highs and pounding headaches during filming.

"I ingested a lot of sugar in this movie and didn’t get much sleep," he joked. "But anything for the movie!"

Another A-lister as Buddy?

It’s hard to picture anyone but Ferrell in the role of Buddy, but Jim Carrey was originally meant to star as Santa's little helper.

The script for Elf circulated in Hollywood for over a decade, and in the early 1990s, Jim was the comedy king thanks to hits like Ace Ventura and The Mask.

But by the time Elf entered production in the 2000s, Jim had moved on from the Christmas scene after starring in festive blockbusters like The Grinch and A Christmas Carol.

The 12-Second Burp Truth

Buddy’s epic 12-second burp at the dinner table is a standout moment in the film — but it wasn’t Will Ferrell behind the sound.

The infamous belch was performed by voice actor Maurice LaMarche, best known as the voice of Brain in Pinky and the Brain.

Maurice's uncredited contribution created a hilarious scene that kids and adults alike have replayed for years.

Baby Drama

Buddy’s childhood scenes may look heartwarming on screen, but they came with a unique set of challenges.

The production had to fire its first set of baby actors — twin boys — because they wouldn’t stop crying when they were supposed to smile and crawl.

Producers ultimately replaced them with a trio of cheerful triplet girls, who nailed their brief but pivotal roles.

No Sequel for Buddy

Despite the film’s massive success and ongoing popularity, Elf fans shouldn’t hold their breath for a sequel.

Will Ferrell reportedly turned down a staggering £21 million offer to reprise his role in Elf 2.

His reason? Ferrell felt that a second movie might tarnish the charm of the original.

He told the Hollywood Reporter: "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.’

"I thought, ‘Can I actually say those words? I don’t think I can, so I guess I can’t do the movie.’"