Actor, writer and director Jon Favreau hit unlikely pay dirt when "Swingers" (1996), his low-budget, autobiographical indie about struggling young actors, turned he and co-star/real-life best friend Vince Vaughn into hot property, seemingly overnight. Favreau parlayed his rising profile into a number of supporting big screen roles as cynical side men, but he was more anxious to get behind the camera and direct bigger features. After another indie buddy comedy with Vaughn – the underrated mob farce “Made” (2001) – Favreau went wide with the winning holiday hit “Elf” (2003), starring a
