Zooey Deschanel’s ‘Elf’ Role Nearly Went to Another Star

Zooey Deschanel, now a familiar face in festive films, has revealed that her path to playing Jovie in the beloved Christmas classic was far from straightforward. While promoting her latest holiday project, she reflected on the unexpected circumstances that led to her casting in the 2003 film, which has since become a seasonal staple for many households.

First Choice and a Fortunate Turn

During a recent appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Deschanel recounted her initial meeting with director Jon Favreau. She recalled,

“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,’”

she said. The role had originally been earmarked for Holmes, who was then committed to her work on Dawson’s Creek. Deschanel continued,

“And I was like, ‘Oh, OK, cool.’ And he’s like, ‘Well, sit down and talk for a minute.’ I was like, ‘OK!’”

Holmes’ scheduling conflicts ultimately meant she had to withdraw, leaving the door open for Deschanel to step in.

Deschanel explained that the character of Jovie was somewhat adaptable, depending on who was cast. Her own background in singing, thanks to her cabaret act, proved to be a perfect fit for the role.

“Then they were like, ‘Who should we have?' 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,”

she shared.

Landing the Role Without the Pressure

Believing the part was already spoken for, Deschanel found herself free from the usual nerves that accompany auditions. She reflected,

“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.’ It was kind of great cause I was not nervous.”

This relaxed approach may have been just what she needed to secure the role that would launch her career.

Breakthrough and Musical Moments

At the time, Deschanel was still relatively new to the industry, with only a handful of supporting roles to her name. Her performance as Jovie marked a turning point, leading to further opportunities in films such as The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Failure to Launch, and (500) Days of Summer. She later became a household name through her starring role in the long-running sitcom New Girl.

Deschanel’s musical talents became a defining feature of her character in the film. The inclusion of her singing was not part of the original script, but once she was cast, it became a memorable aspect of the story. Her renditions of “Baby It’s Cold Outside” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” have since become iconic. Beyond the screen, she formed the band She & Him with M. Ward, releasing two Christmas albums and contributing to various film soundtracks.

A Holiday Classic Endures

Since its release in November 2003, the film has cemented its place as a festive favourite. It’s difficult to picture anyone else in the role of Jovie, and Deschanel’s unique blend of wit and musicality has become inseparable from the film’s enduring appeal. While the original casting plans might have led to a very different outcome, the final result has delighted audiences for over two decades.