Amy Poehler ‘Didn’t Love’ Learning to Skate While Making “Blades of Glory” with Will Ferrell: ‘We’re Never, Ever Going to Look Like We Can Do This’

In a recent episode of her podcast, “Good Hang,” Amy Poehler shared her candid reflections on her experience making the 2007 ice-skating comedy “Blades of Glory.” Joining her was her co-star Will Ferrell, as they revisited their time on the film that became a cult classic in its own right.

Poehler, who portrayed Fairchild Van Waldenberg in the film, admitted that her initial confidence in tackling the ice-skating scenes was quickly diminished. “I thought I’d be better at it, but I quickly found out that I wasn’t,” Poehler laughed, recalling how she, like Ferrell, had to confront the reality of learning a new skill. The film’s premise involves Ferrell’s character, Chazz Michael Michaels, and Jon Heder’s Jimmy MacElroy, who, after a violent falling out, find their path back to the sport by forming the first male-male pairs skating team. Poehler’s character is seen sabotaging their pursuit of glory alongside her brother, played by Will Arnett.

“It was an amazing experience, but learning to skate was not exactly what I expected,” she noted. Ferrell chimed in, emphasizing that both of them had their fair share of struggles on the ice. “We met real athletes who could do things we could only dream of,” he reflected, highlighting the skill level of professional skaters like Tiffany Scott, who doubled for Poehler in the film.

Their reunion also sparked a nostalgic discussion about their second collaboration in 2017, “The House.” Unlike “Blades of Glory,” which grossed over $145 million worldwide, “The House” faced criticism and failed to resonate with audiences, earning only $34 million against a budget of $40 million. Poehler jokingly noted how her children often remind her of the film’s 7% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, although she did mention that the score had since improved to a modest 20%.

“I still think it was a fun premise and a fun movie,” Ferrell maintained, while Poehler expressed her intent to take the failure lightly. “I feel like I flopped you,” she said, playfully apologising to her co-star for their film’s lack of success.

As they reminisced about their careers, the pair also discussed Ferrell’s fondness for his costume from “Blades of Glory,” which he described as a red jumpsuit symbolising fire. He revealed that he had it framed and hung in the garage, much to the chagrin of his wife, Viveca.

Although both actors have moved on to various projects since, Poehler and Ferrell’s camaraderie continues to shine through in their discussions. Ferrell is gearing up for the release of his new series “The Hawk,” which premieres on Netflix this July, where he portrays a washed-up golfer seeking a last shot at glory alongside fellow “Saturday Night Live” alumni Molly Shannon and Chris Parnell.

The chat between Poehler and Ferrell served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the film industry, where even a talented cast and a promising premise can lead to unexpected outcomes. As they look back, it’s evident that both actors have fond memories despite the ups and downs of their careers, demonstrating their enduring friendship and shared experiences in the world of comedy.