Will Ferrell turned down $29 million for 'Elf' sequel: 'Oh no, it's not good'

A sequel to the 2003 Christmas comedy “Elf” was in the works at one point, actor Will Ferrell revealed in a recent interview.

In an October cover story for The Hollywood Reporter, Ferrell, who starred as the film’s eager protagonist, Buddy, said a follow-up to the “low-budget PG comedy” was written. Ferrell said he was offered $29 million for his involvement in the film, but he turned down the offer because it would have been inauthentic for him to sign onto a film with a premise he didn’t like.

“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,’” Ferrell told the outlet. “And I thought, ‘Can I actually say those words? I don’t think I can, so I guess I can’t do the movie.'”

Although "Elf" was a box-office smash, earning over $220 million at the global box office, Ferrell said he had his doubts about the film and its impact on his career. He told THR he recalls “running around New York in his silly yellow tights, thinking, ‘Boy, this could be the end.’”

Despite taking on more serious roles later in his career, in films such as "Stranger Than Fiction" and "Everything Must Go" and the Lifetime drama-thriller “A Deadly Adoption,” Ferrell said he wants to continue to tap into the emotional relief of pure comedy.

“There’s just so much going on in the world, and sometimes it’s nice to turn your brain off,” Ferrell said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will Ferrell: 'Elf' star turned down $29 million for sequel