Will Ferrell on Navigating His Best Friend's Transition in 'Will & Harper' | Sundance 2024

Will Ferrell and Harper Steele stop by The Hollywood Reporter's studio in Park City during the Sundance film festival to talk about 'Will & Harper,' a story focused on Ferrell and Steele navigating a new stage in their relationship after discovering Steele is coming out as a trans woman. The actor and former SNL writer dish on their cross-country road trip and the people they met along the way.
To learn more about this story:
www.hollywoodr...
►►Subscribe for more entertainment news: thr.cm/dwtPxG2
►► See our latest videos: thr.cm/syLedfw
About: The Hollywood Reporter (THR) is the entertainment industry's flagship media brand, offering in-depth reporting, analysis, unparalleled access, world-class photography and video, and feature exclusives in its award-winning weekly magazine and dynamic website. The Hollywood Reporter also boasts prestigious live events, industry-leading philanthropic, empowerment and diversity initiatives and hugely successful video series.
Connect with The Hollywood Reporter Online:
Visit the website: thr.cm/MgwCFl9
Likes us on Facebook: thr.cm/ngIBL8l
Follow us on Twitter: thr.cm/2S875k7
Follow us on Instagram: thr.cm/cDQoWQd
#Sundance #SundanceFilmFestival #TheHollywoodReporter
Will Ferrell on Navigating His Best Friend's Transition in 'Will & Harper' | Sundance 2024
The Hollywood Reporter
/ hollywoodreporter

[@tamhulburt9592]

Beautiful friendship. I will watch this movie and celebrate love and evolution ☮️➕💜

[@thermometredupochard]

Thank you Will and Harper for doing this interview. Your words mean a lot for our community!

[@pinkhairedwitch]

I couldn't agree with you more ☺️🏳️‍⚧️

[@mr.b3132]

Harper seems like a really nice guy!!!! He would be a great voice for your community

[@rhiannonyoung8962]

@@mr.b3132 And u would be the worst voice - as u are here.

[@jeskuo]

When he said Henry Hill, my first thought was "Did he mean Harold Hill from The Music Man? That's an odd costume choice" 😄

[@heidiperez1387]

A beautiful humanitarian film❤

[@jennifercalverleywraight3111]

I totally realize this is not and should not be the focus of this interview....but where did Harper get her glasses? I love them!

[@kf1000]

Nice comment, because it just seems normal.

[@Ang.0910]

HIS glasses

[@kf1000]

@@Ang.0910 "THEIR glasses"

[@Ang.0910]

@@kf1000 No. That’s incorrect, in more ways than one.

[@kf1000]

@MissAngela007 " someone pulled into my driveway, THEIR car was green"

[@kennywilliams123]

Their chemistry makes me want to see the full film.

[@jjbobby1969]

They’re so casual and natural together, you can tell they’ve been friends for years

[@ADH_Addy]

This is fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. As a trans person this makes me so happy.

[@Alan-wv6il]

There is no such thing as a transgender because one CANNOT transition their gender. A male is a male and a female is a female.

[@clinkedylinkedy1]

Me too! ❤❤❤

[@sullysully-en4on]

We need to stop normalizing insanity

[@kw2080]

Not me.

[@rhiannonyoung8962]

@@kw2080 Who Needs Your Approval? LoL.

[@HeyImF1dg3t]

Just stopping by to help bury the transphobe comments further down, and also to say that this sounds like a lovely idea and I'm excited to see the doc!

[@red_erick9271]

No ones a transphobe lol trans isn't real it's delusional

[@penknight8532]

I just threw up.

[@HeyImF1dg3t]

I'm sorry to hear of your affliction. I hope simple videos with an easy to follow message cause you less illness in the future.

[@iamthebatsy]

@@penknight8532lol stay mad

[@red_erick9271]

​@F1dg3et sorry for your illness too.

[@jadenthomas1169]

Is there a documentary trailer for this yet?

[@fanoftoast]

It just came out!!

[@196Arcangel]

It’s on Netflix, saw it last night had me in tears. Must watch!

[@wildfireorganics8045]

Bravo and Brava!! I’m SO excited to see this film! These are conversations that need to be had and I applaud them both for their bravery in this!

[@sullysully-en4on]

So stunning and brave!

[@babs_babs]

my respect for will ferrell has def gone up over the years.

[@Az93171]

Why? Because he promotes mental illness as new norm?

[@firenze5555]

Always liked Will Ferrell and now find out that he's an amazing and supportive friend. Can't wait to see this!

[@damienmulder909]

Friends give the truth, not delusional unscientific lies.

[@rhiannonyoung8962]

@@damienmulder909 Friends don't hate friends based on who they are - soul deep. You remember we are souls first right? These bodies don't follow us into the afterlife, they die away........our spirits are us all.

[@BigdaddyE71]

How do you know that Will is a "he"?

[@BigdaddyE71]

A real friend would always tell the truth even if it hurt the guy's feelings.

[@Wildstep0]

and they did, they corrected Will after he messed up the Hank Hill/Walter White mistake

[@BigdaddyE71]

@@Wildstep0 What are you talking about? Please be specific.

[@MayLily]

Will Ferrell is an amazing friend!

[@DragonIdol14]

The KZbin comments are great here as long as you don't scroll down too far. Some people are just gonna have to die mad; imagine getting triggered by a trans person being visible and acting like you didn't choose to click on a video.

[@joshuakelly9390]

I did choose to click on this video and I did choose to call out nonsense for what it is. Not mad, just disappointed. People are welcoming their own societal downfall. Worse yet, Will chooses to watch his friend destroy himself instead of being there for him and helping him.

[@nycdedmonds]

You know there are people in the world who are different than you. And that's ok. We all have different paths. It's not your job to understand overone else's path. But it is your job to stay out of the way of people finding their own path. You get to make choices for yourself. You don't get to make them for other people.

[@socialjusticeworm3820]

@@joshuakelly9390”societal downfall” from what? The real downfall is bigotry

[@iamthebatsy]

@@joshuakelly9390Bigots like yourself are quickly becoming the minority.

[@xthelegend89]

@@joshuakelly9390if society is so fragile that it can be destroyed by men identifying as women and women identifying as men, then we probably deserve to be destroyed.

[@jjbobby1969]

This is wonderful! New respect for Will and I can’t wait to see it

[@whateverwhatever5715]

The trailer for the doc made me laugh and cry at the same time ...haven't had that happen since Phil Hartman

[@connorstconnor]

i CANT WAIT to watch this. ✨♥️

[@fanzareli88]

you’re the only one 😊

[@shaunrobbins5902]

Yeah....people like you😮

[@Alan-wv6il]

Gay

[@rhiannonyoung8962]

@@fanzareli88 And all the people in the world that watched in on Netflix, so.......

[@Safe-and-effective]

It's so special. their chemistry. Makes me want to be a social engineer using the entertainment industry as my mouthpiece.

[@LizinLouie]

Thank you, Thank You ~ THANK YOU !!!

[@AmethystOrlando]

I guess Will Ferrell is now on my list of celebrities worth respecting.

[@kw2080]

This interview made that happen. Amazing.

[@xxselenaxx2142]

You are the hollywood reporter, you can afford to release a video with captions included

[@MotivatedByJames]

If you click CC it will show up on the video, I hope this helps!

[@TheCraftedCreepers95]

@@MotivatedByJames They're auto-generated mate, does not count. Inaccuracies and many other problems with auto gen, what selena means is they have no excuse not to have official and accurate captions.

[@colderbeer]

Didn't realize that Ferrell has so much in common with Rock Hudson, Liberace, and ......Barrack Obama.

[@reneeq3122]

Just watched this. Truly heartfelt and important. Wiig’s song at the end just brought it all together and really got me. Perfect choice. Thanks for sharing this!

[@Moontrooper]

Everything will come full circle when Will and Harper start dating!!

[@lemon1657]

Exactly, prove to us that you really believe people can go from ♂️ to ♀️. Marry her 😂

[@Pimandpoe]

@@lemon1657 I get you might be supportive, but you're being weird

[@nicoledennis5789]

Ikr

[@Moontrooper]

@@Pimandpoe it’s not weird for a cis gender man to date a biological man who has fully transitioned to a woman. We literally have pills and surgeries to make this possible. Stop being such a hater.

[@Moontrooper]

@@Pimandpoe you don’t understand. We need high profile celeb types to make it clear to our children that anyone can date anyone now that we have pills and surgeries to make this happen. Will and Harper can even make babies if they want to.

[@kevinbernatek7875]

If this happened to my best friend, Jason, I would do nothing but direct my attention towards them and listen with an open mind. I could never disown my family and friends for transitioning. These people still love you, too!

[@blaineross8402]

I love them both so much

[@HettiedeKorteDiplomaat]

Everybody should see this documentary and stop the hatred against transpeople. Everybody deserves respect. Ans especially people who have to struggle for decades to finally become themselves. ❤ and Respect. It that so hard?

[@c.w.7132]

Two great people and a great Documentary… ❤

[@TheSwiftieOver50]

My takeaway… we are seeing the way these relationships and acceptance should be .Period. Hats off to both of these artists in the vulnerable and authentic representation that affects more than those with a platform. Thank you for for your dedication to sharing with a delivery so desperately needed narrative.

[@jv-ep2tc]

how much woke jabberwocky can you fit into your comment? do you even know what you are saying? I suspect not.

[@rebeccanelson7713]

It took me literally until today (several decades) to become a super fan of Will… and, unfortunately for you, Will, it also took until today (like 5 minutes) to become a super fan of Harper.

[@KKeeganRealty]

I look forward to seeing it. Sad that some folks are too closed off to give it a chance. ❤ And let's be kind and keep mean thoughts to yourself, no need to post them. ❤

[@peteradamson981]

Also no need for all this stuff to be forced on people be accepted by loved ones and friends don't need respect and acceptance from strangers no need

[@iamthebatsy]

@@peteradamson981Who forced you to watch this?

[@peteradamson981]

@@iamthebatsy it's everywhere not like many people have a choice the choice is forced on them because I don't want this on my KZbin shorts but its here for some reason show it to people who want to see it I'm not one of them

[@OrionPats]

@@peteradamson981 It's 100% plausible that microscopic trans activists have invaded your computer and *forced* you to click on -- and watch -- this video.

[@rhiannonyoung8962]

@@iamthebatsy Exactly - No One Is Forcing Anyone To Watch It. LoL.

[@DonnaAbrams-qh7zt]

I was never a huge Will Ferrell fan, but his acceptance of his friend (in a time when everyone is fodder for the far right lunatics) gave me a whole new respect for him. Congrats to the two friends.

[@franksanz1044]

You mean wacko radical liberals?

[@sophieh.2986]

wow sounds interesting. I am a huge Will Ferrell fan and will definitely watch the film!

[@johnp8587]

What's wrong with will's eye?

[@gravityslave6277]

He sold his soul. So theres nothing there

[@DoctorXander]

Apparently no one in that room had seen Goodfellas

[@faerishay]

As a trans person, this makes me so happy. Literally takes zero effect to listen to and boost our voices. Their friendship is so beautiful ❤

[@Alan-wv6il]

There is no such thing as a transgender because one CANNOT transition their gender. A male is a male and a female is a female.

[@maxtoll8290]

Glorifying insanity

[@peakpatternrecognizer]

Yes.

[@peakpatternrecognizer]

@@christopherjenkins1882 Digusted? Yes. Terrified? Keep dreaming.

[@rhiannonyoung8962]

@@peakpatternrecognizer All hate starts with fear. U do fear someone 'other' to you.

[@RobertSpitzer]

What a wonderful friendship, they have such great repore. I am so happy for Harper.

[@TheWorldisRaw]

Does this movie mention Andrew Steele’s WIFE at all? Is Will a friend to her?

[@thornburymatthew]

Don't give up Will.

[@jessegilliam2453]

The world is already in hell for accepting this bs ABSOLUTELY GROSS 🤢🤢🤢🤢

[@em7216]

What a cute little convo between friends. 🥰

[@leehaileykatvars4694]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@BonesFPV]

GET ME THE MEATLOAF! MA! MA!

[@TheToddtw]

What a beautiful friendship

[@JorJorBinksss]

These 2 are cute!!! ❤❤

[@DavidHaverty]

Wow this audio filter intended to make this easier to listen to is awful. Tone down the intensity on this filter. A little echo is okay. They almost start to sound robotic. Or stop using AI and hire a real mixer on set. Geesh.

[@rhameparralax8006]

Yo this is beyond weird.

[@MegaNicolemarie]

😂

[@Virgoindigo]

What a time to be alive!! The Psyop is our existence now.

[@mrsmagoo5710]

Imagine your circle of friends being filled with people who were the class clowns ...

[@maxalberts2003]

And who ultimately became more loving and successful than you'll ever be.

[@mrsmagoo5710]

​@@maxalberts2003 How could you possibly think I was being negative?

[@allendionnelastcall3749]

This film and this comment section is whats wrong in society today.

[@rhiannonyoung8962]

No Your Trans Hate Is.

[@leora_in_london]

I can't wait to see this!!

[@manp1039]

Harper said some strange things that didn't make sense.. I wonder if the context got cut out.. such as when they said "I have more friends than that", but there was no mention of a number of friends yet.. And then they said to Will "that's the last time" What was that in reference to? I am wondering if they had written out a bunch of things like a skit they could banter back and forth for the interviews and those things were flubs? The way Harper was motioning with her hands.. it was like she was in a pre-arranged or choreographed banter? Like the paused and waited for Harper to say their bit then said "I will speak for Harper. (paused with mouth open) I am going to do some man-splaining" she responded "go ahead". it seemed pre-written.. but the way Will paused and gestured with his hand in a kind of effeminate way and tone of voice made if funny.

[@dot2562]

Whys this plasterd about the place now

[@carina9295]

The scene outside Amarillo where Farrell eats a 72-oz steak whilst dressed as Sherlock Holmes, as Steele rails against the Texas govt., must be a hoot

[@societopathyobserved9785]

Narcissism has really gotten out of hand.

[@rhiannonyoung8962]

Yeah......Yours.

[@societopathyobserved9785]

@@rhiannonyoung8962 no u

[@RyannJoyRule]

What lovely friends ❤

[@dragonalong6860]

Love Will Ferrell for this.

[@kepeli14]

Henry....Henry Hill!

[@NP-zl7dz]

Say my name

[@Ang.0910]

Not that Henry Hill

[@tylerpurrden]

I was also confused, thought someone was dressing like Ray Liotta in Goodfellas which sounds rather like an obscure costume choice

[@kyoko703]

5:02 - surprise, neither have i! :-)

[@JohnB-nq4js]

So 2 guys who are best friends? Stop the presses!

[@chiefcrazyhorse]

Will is a true friend supporting Harper regardless of his mental illness.

[@maxalberts2003]

Are you a clinical psychologist or a psychiatrist? Or a physician? Because the AMA, the American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association beg to differ with you. Next time, try getting your information from actual medical authorities instead of your sawdust tent show Pastor. My guess? You'uns don't need nuna that thar book larnin'. You've opt that old time religion. Straight out of Leviticus.

[@GG-ln3ft]

​@@maxalberts2003It was listed as a mental illness. The APA only took it out to reduce stigma. That's hardly saying it's no longer mental illness. Gender Dysphoria is still in there as a mental illness.

[@KayosHybrid]

We need some hopecore and this will help a lot of people

[@yourneighborhood]

Obviously this thread is moderated because everybody is posting positive notes.

[@FRoZeNShAdY]

Well put

[@norma788]

The top of the comments are positive.. but don't scroll to the bottom where all the trolls live.

[@firenze5555]

You must be a riot at a party.

[@MegaNicolemarie]

You're correct. .regulated 😂

[@Necromonger69]

Remember when Will Ferrell was funny? Nah, neither do I.

[@kyoko703]

As Blink 182 said: "I guess this is growing up."

[@pricekeene511]

Well, the room starting to spin real fast because of the gayness

[@e2dd459]

This is very sad. Will ferrell lost his best friend to the mind virus.

[@maxalberts2003]

I think you need to learn how to write a simple, coherent English sentence, no matter how short a time you have been in our country.

[@kazoesowzay]

Will Ferrell is the best, and way to go Harper, takes guts

[@skylakemerbyss]

Love this!

[@RobertMcGuirk-x1h]

These autogenerated comments all in favor and calling Will “such an excellent friend” are creepy, linear, cold and robotic. What’s going on here?

[@rhiannonyoung8962]

They're Just Not Haters Like You & The Trolls Here. Why Are U Here Watching Will Ferrell Support His Trans Best Friend Then?

[@lewangillard9701]

I can guarantee a few months down the line Will will never talk to "her" again...

[@gumbly4174]

Huh, why. They’ve been best friends for literally over 30 years.

[@stanleynorris6064]

Never seen him not be funny, is that a first!!?😮 How is that possible??

[@jbshiff8268]

This is so fricken amazing! Way to go Will for being such a great ally to his friend.

[@kimkerchner2032]

Will Ferrell is being an enabler to this mental case.

[@mallurypollard7815]

I’m sure your life changed so drastically when Harper came out as trans, as when anyone came out as trans. I’m so sorry these people have personally affected your life so much.

[@jonathans.8537]

@@mallurypollard7815I’m so sorry for the kids this mental illness has been pushed on for them to accept and forced on that it’s ok

[@Pimandpoe]

@@jonathans.8537 You don't care about children. Stop feigning care. It's actually very sickening

[@ccs9630]

This isn’t the Step Brothers sequel I was hoping for

[@evolutionstationmusic2559]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Ang.0910]

Ikr 😅

[@MoneySmartDriver]

Will is definitely gay! Come out Will! It’s time.

[@Rogge73]

Sorry Will, you have lost a fan since 20 years

[@rhiannonyoung8962]

I'm sure he's hurting because of it...... 😂

[@dirkbogarde44]

Just another middle-aged guy having a breakdown and putting a dress on.

[@ShifraMeddidoddi]

yup

[@gumbly4174]

A clever cookie indeed. You seem to know other people that you’ve never met, better than they know themselves.

[@elijah1192]

Sweetie, you should be seen and not heard. Your place is not on the internet.

[@SquareNoggin]

​@@gumbly4174 Well when it comes to trans people, they sure do spend a lot of time speaking publicly about themselves, their feelings and their "experiences". As if having a fixation on cross dressing makes someone more interesting, virtuous and worth listening to... If anything it's probably the opposite. It makes it seem like many people do this out of narcissism. In general if the way you dress and present yourself to the world, and how the world reacts to that, is the be-all end-all of your identity and purpose - you have a self obsession problem.

[@joemama560]

Well, he typed online, so he is being seen while read and he is not being heard while typing. 'Sweetie'

[@davidtmccarty]

Great movie. Best friend? I don’t think their relationship was ever characterized that way. Accuracy doesn’t hurt.

[@rhiannonyoung8962]

Yes it is.

[@tubeamp2872]

That's a man

[@arginder2291]

Thats a trans woman, so a woman

[@miguelooon3296]

​@@arginder2291still a man

[@TheElectro2009]

Gross

[@ReggieBlinker-k9e]

Gay.

[@jeffreytroublefield4265]

White Chicks 2 looks bad.

[@sharonparker7148]

Well I think it's absurd and sick

[@channingchills]

Just guys being dudes.

[@jeffreytroublefield4265]

😅😅😅

[@SC_allywag]

Wasn't gonna comment but since YT doesn't let you click not interested on gay garbage videos here we are...

[@a.m.o5734]

Will and his Buffalo bill grandmother

[@pinkhairedwitch]

As a trans woman I hope this film can help some people with questions about my community find answers. I understand not everyone is equipped to fully understand, but there are so many people just like Will who are willing to learn, and I believe that with all my heart. I'm so glad this film is happening.

[@Sarah-ig4qq]

Not trying to be funny. Im still dont understand what this is about.

[@leora_in_london]

Harper is a trans woman and Will is best friends with her and so the movie is abt a roadtrip they take + how their friendship evolved as Hatper transitioned

[@Sarah-ig4qq]

@@leora_in_london Interesting. I couldn't find a trailer for it so I was trying to figure it out.

[@jonazo7188]

It’s about Satanism

[@SquareNoggin]

vapid celebrities doing vapid celebrity stuff

[@bluemystic7501]

This shouldn't be celebrated.

[@jamiwoods3822]

As a transgirl myself, I approve this message ✨

[@gravityslave6277]

Of course you do. Follow the hives orders

[@JamiWoods-u1o]

@@gravityslave6277 lol. Troll.

[@macmikemo]

So stunning. So brave. Hollywood you’ve done it again! 🤮 🤮

[@Fedko3037]

Who cares?

[@richardabia9735]

What a stupid joke.

[@anne-zh2kd]

It saddens me that he is fatphobic, but at least he isn't transphobic, i guess

[@joshuakelly9390]

Being overweight is bad. Forcing yourself to be something you're not is also bad.

[@socialjusticeworm3820]

⁠@@joshuakelly9390like forcing people into extreme diets encouraging eating disorders in order to lose weight?

[@Gene-gi8vh]

Too old to start this lunacy.

[@TheNYCGoldenGlover]

Especially if u have a family. Narcissistic selfness and a celebration of deviancy

[@leeturner7986]

Why is Ferrell so keen to make a doc about his bro’s fetish? Why does he think we want to watch it? Hollyweird strikes again.

[@fagomorphs]

Please keep crying about it

[@leeturner7986]

@@fagomorphs we’re all too busy laughing at you men in bad wigs to be crying 🤣😌

[@taylorbarnhart9882]

@@leeturner7986also i’m pretty sure that’s Harper’s real hair. it could be a wig tho, so that’s fair.

[@Alana.Bahama]

​@@leeturner7986wig? Yall gotta make ish up to hate trans peeps

[@babs_babs]

being trans isn’t a fetish…

[@sebuofena]

Harper looks like Will wearing a woman costume.