Andy Richter Reveals U2’s The Edge Wrote an ‘Elf’ Sequel That Never Materialized

Andy Richter has shared a bizarre piece of Hollywood history: U2’s The Edge, whose real name is David Howell Evans, once penned a script for a sequel to the 2003 holiday classic “Elf.” However, the project never came to fruition.

During a recent episode of “Obsessed: The Podcast,” Richter explained that film producer Shauna Robertson was approached with the script. According to Richter, someone contacted Robertson saying that The Edge had written an “Elf” sequel and wanted to discuss it. “It’s the weirdest story, but apparently it was fully written,” Richter said, expressing hope that the script might one day see the light of day. He noted that the initiative “just petered out and never happened.”

Richter also mentioned that Scot Armstrong, known for his work on “Old School” and “The Hangover Part II,” wrote a separate sequel script involving “the evil South Pole elves kidnapping Santa.” Armstrong contributed to the original “Elf” but was not credited due to guild and procedural reasons.

Despite the enduring popularity of “Elf” 23 years later, Richter believes a sequel is unnecessary. “I’m on the side of ‘Let it stand,'” he stated. “Just let ‘Elf’ be ‘Elf.’ You don’t have to use every part of the animal.” He emphasized that the film has become so special and perfect that risking a sequel could tarnish its legacy, especially given how often beloved movies are diminished by inferior follow-ups.

Directed by Jon Favreau, “Elf” originally starred Will Ferrell as Buddy, an elf who travels to New York City to meet his biological father, Walter Hobbs, played by James Caan. The film also features Zooey Deschanel and Mary Steenburgen. Richter had a brief cameo as one of Hobbs’ colleagues and co-wrote the book “Elf Unwrapped: Behind the Scenes of a Modern Christmas Classic,” which was released recently.

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