Will Ferrell explains why he dressed up as Buddy the Elf to watch hockey game

Everyone's favorite elf is back, but not as you'd probably expect.

Buddy the Elf is one of the most iconic Christmas characters out there, mostly due to how brilliantly Will Ferrell played the role in the 2003 festive flick.

While it has been over 20 years since the Hollywood actor portrayed Buddy, Ferrell decided to wear the iconic suit to a hockey game between the Los Angeles Kings and Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday (December 29).

Buddy the Elf seems as though he's had a rough Christmas however, with Ferrell papped watching the game with a cigarette in hand.

The actor, who often attends the hockey to support his team Los Angeles Kings, caught the attention of many in attendance as he's never watched the sport before in his Buddy the Elf costume.

Buddy has had a rough festive period (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

FanDuel Sports Network broadcaster Carrlyn Bathe spoke to Ferrell during proceedings, with the 57-year-old telling the reporter 'it was a tough holiday season' and 'he’s looking for a Kings win'.

It's certainly not gone well for Buddy in Santa's worship this year then.

Ferrell's high energy performance as Buddy carried the film in many people's beliefs, though paired with his co-star James Caan, who played Buddy's dad, a perfect combo was reached.

Earlier this year, Ferrell revealed that Caan, who passed away in 2022, didn't find him very funny.

Ferrell claimed that Caan had told him he didn't 'get' the actor during an appearance on the MeSsy podcast with Christina Applegate and Jamie-Lynn Sigler.

"James Caan - may he rest in peace, and we had such a good time working on that movie - he would tease me," Ferrell said.

Ferrell dressed up as Buddy as he watched hockey (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

“We’d be in between setups, he was like, ‘I don’t get you. You’re not funny. "You’re not funny.’ And I’m like, ‘I know! I’m not Robin Williams.’

"He’s like, ‘People ask me, 'Is he funny?' And I’m like, 'No, he’s not funny!' It was all with love.”

And that certainly impacted what we saw on screen as viewers.

The Megamind actor continued: "I love that the whole time, he’s not acting. He’s truly annoyed with me.

"Like, ‘Will this guy shut the f**k up? Jesus!’ So I literally drove him crazy in that movie, just acting like that kid.”

Once filming on Elf had concluded prior to its release in 2003, Caan changed his mind about Ferrell's performance.

Ferrell recalled: "He’s like, ‘I gotta tell you, I thought everything you were doing while we were filming was way too over-the-top."