Zooey Deschanel Shares That Katie Holmes Was First Chosen for Her Role in Elf
Zooey Deschanel (left), Katie Holmes.
Credit :
Monica Schipper/Getty; Eugene Gologursky/Getty
Zooey Deschanel Reveals Role in Elf Almost Went to Katie Holmes
In a recent interview, actress Zooey Deschanel disclosed that her iconic role in the beloved holiday film Elf was originally offered to Katie Holmes. Deschanel, now 45, portrayed Jovie, the love interest of Buddy the Elf in the 2003 movie.
Deschanel recounted her audition experience during a December 17 appearance on Call Her Daddy with Alex Cooper. At the time, she was only 21 years old. “When I met with Jon Favreau, the director, I walked in and he was like, ‘Oh, you don’t need to read. We just offered it to Katie Holmes,’” Deschanel explained. “And I was like, ‘Oh, OK, cool.’ And he’s like, ‘Well, sit down and talk for a minute.’ I was like, ‘OK!’”
During the discussion, Deschanel felt surprisingly calm, attributing her lack of nerves to the fact that she no longer felt like she was auditioning. “What was great about that was, I wasn’t nervous. When you’re an actor, you’re first starting, and you’re auditioning, you get nervous, and you’re psyching yourself up. I wasn’t nervous at all because I was like, ‘Well, I’m not getting the part,’” she stated.
When Holmes eventually withdrew from the project due to scheduling conflicts, Deschanel was offered the role, which led to her endearing performance that continues to resonate with audiences. “And then they were like, ‘Who should we have?’” Deschanel said. “I think the character was kind of meant to be worked around whoever played her, and they knew I sang because I had a cabaret act, so that kind of worked out with the character.”
In a memorable scene from the film, Buddy, played by Will Ferrell, walks in on Jovie while she is singing “Baby It’s Cold Outside” in the bathroom of the Gimbels department store, a moment that adds depth to their budding romance.
Zooey Deschanel Elf – 2003.
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