Fans were howling with laughter after spotting Will Ferrell at a hockey game dressed as his Buddy the Elf character from the 2003 Christmas comedy film Elf.
Instead of appearing as the chipper version of his character that fans have grown to love, however, Ferrell's new take on the eccentric Buddy Hobbs was of him down in the dumps.
Dispensing with his cheery temperament, Elf looked disgruntled while watching the Los Angeles Kings and the Philadelphia Flyers hockey teams go head-to-head at the Los Angeles Crypto.com Arena on Sunday night.
Accompanying him were Ferrell's wife, Viveca Paulin, and their youngest son, Axel Ferrel, 14, who were focused on the action on the ice.
According to FanDuel Sports Network broadcaster Carrlyn Bathe, Elf was sporting a 5 'o'clock shadow, smoking a cigarette, and chugging a beer inside the arena after having "a tough holiday season" and hoping for a Kings win.
Sports fans could relate to Buddy.
Others loved Buddy's comeback, albeit with a twist.
Here's hoping Buddy has something up his Greensleeves.
Fortunately for Buddy, the Kings managed a 5-4 victory.
In Elf, Ferrell plays a human raised by Santa's elves who discovers his origins and embarks on a trek to New York City in search of his biological father.
The comedy film was directed by Jon Favreau and written by David Berenbaum. It co-starred James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Mary Steenburgen, Ed Asner, and Bob Newhart.
The commercially successful film is known as a modern holiday classic and remains one of the best Christmas movies of all time.
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