"It wasn't the end-of-the-world experience, but it wasn't so much fun that I said to myself, 'I have to do this again,"' Ferrell recalled.
"But my manager and I were talking about this world of animated movies - and said if we had the opportunity to work with someone like a DreamWorks, who tends to make good, funny ones, then that would be something we would listen to."
So when the company behind such hits as Shrek and Kung Fu Panda did come calling, Ferrell was all ears. He was offered the lead in Megamind, which centres on the rivalry between a scrawny, evil genius with a bulbous head (Ferrell) and a suave, muscular do-gooder named Metro Man (Brad Pitt).
With his trusty sidekick Minion (David Cross), Megamind goes head-to-head with Metro Man as the two vie for the affections of a local television reporter (Tina Fey), who has also turned the head of her doughty cameraman (Jonah Hill).
This time, Ferrell had more fun.
"I felt like it was a pretty unique story - a 'careful what you wish for' scenario," he said. "And everyone was kind of trusting of what I thought would be funny."
WILL FERRELL
Q Are there times that you wish you had a wristwatch like Megamind, which allows him to change his physical persona or become invisible?
A Oh, yeah, that'd be a nifty little power. When you're sometimes at an airport and someone has cornered you, and you realise a crowd is about to gather. Those are the moments where I'd go.
Q Do you have a lifelong best friend like Minion, who always sticks by Megamind?
A I have kind of had a core group of friends since, like, the sixth and seventh grade. They would come see me when I was doing stand-up for free down at the Cannery in Newport Beach.
TINA FEY
Q If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
A If I had a power to make cellphones and cameras not work, that would be good for when you're sitting next to the people at the airport who are being loud.
Q Is there a figure of good who we look up to in our society, like Metro Man?
A Tom Hanks.
