Sean Astin. John Lamparski/Getty Pictures
Twenty years in the past, Sean Astin bumped into legendary filmmaker Jon Favreau — who costarred with him in Rudy — on a airplane. On the time, Favreau, 58, was capturing what would turn out to be some of the iconic Christmas films of all time: Elf. Flash ahead 21 years, and Astin, 53, is making his Broadway debut within the musical primarily based on that film.
“He appeared drained on the airplane. I keep in mind saying, ‘How are you doing?’ And he was like, ‘Oh, I’m doing this factor, Elf,’ and I used to be like, ‘OK,’” Astin advised Us Weekly completely on the opening night time of Elf: The Musical on the Marquis Theatre on Sunday, November 17. “Then, 10 seconds later, it’s an absolute staple in our home and in everybody’s home. We watch it twice a 12 months.”
The musical initially opened on Broadway in 2010 with a short revival from 2012 by way of 2013. After a extremely profitable run within the West Finish, Elf: The Musical returned to Broadway with Imply Ladies alum Gray Henson on the helm, taking part in Buddy the Elf. Along with Astin as Santa Claus, Kayla Davion holds a supporting position as Jovie, together with Ashley Brown as Emily, Kalen Allen as Retailer Supervisor and Michael Hayden as Walter.
His fated run-in with Favreau was not Astin’s solely full-circle second with regards to the basic Christmas comedy.
“I really feel like I used to be made for Christmas… my schmaltzy, hyper-emotional, household man vibe,” he added, noting that whereas he performs Santa within the musical he sees similarities between himself and the protagonist, Buddy the Elf.
Will Ferrell drew viewers in as the enduring Buddy the Elf in 2003’s Elf, and followers nonetheless can’t get sufficient of the foolish vacation movie greater than 20 years later. Within the Christmas film, Buddy goes to New York Metropolis in hopes of discovering his organic father, Walter Hobbs (James Caan), after studying that he […]
“I dwell my life with my coronary heart on my sleeve. I don’t know the way to not be like that. I believe that’s what Christmas is. And that’s what Buddy is. His pleasure is bursting out of his pores and skin,” Astin advised Us. “I’ve, a number of occasions, stated that, ‘That is really my story. I’m Buddy. I behave like Buddy.’”
The Lord of the Rings star added that he resonates with Buddy’s journey to search out his organic father, as Astin himself discovered at age 14 that whereas he had grown up calling John Astin “dad,” his organic father was really Michael Inform.
“It’s magical. This place is magical,” Astin added about discovering his approach to Elf: The Musical.
As Astin embarks on this new chapter on Broadway, one in all his different iconic initiatives, Stranger Issues, is coming to a detailed.
Astin portrayed Bob Newby, a love curiosity of Winona Ryder’s Joyce Byers, in season 2 of the Netflix collection — till his character’s premature loss of life on the finish of the season.
“I used to be solely alleged to final, like, two or three episodes,” Astin revealed. “After we began capturing it, the very first scene I’m in, Will and his brother are sitting on the mattress, and he’s feeling like everyone seems to be treating him badly, and I stroll in. The viewers doesn’t know something a couple of stepdad of their life or something, and the brothers say, ‘Do you wish to be Billy Idol or do you wish to be Kenny Rogers?’ and I stroll in and I’m going, ‘Kenny Rogers? I like Kenny Rogers!’”
He continued: “Once I stated that, one thing went by way of me and it went by way of them… It was like, ‘Oh my gosh. [He’s] that spirit who could make Joyce comfortable.’”
Whereas his character’s arc concluded on the finish of season 2, Stranger Issues launched a complete of 4 seasons, with the fifth and closing season anticipated subsequent 12 months.
“I’m pleased with them. Good for them,” Astin stated of the collection concluding. “I believe the children are all grown ups now. It’s gonna be on Broadway!”
