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Zooey Deschanel Says Katie Holmes Was First Pick for 'Elf' Role She Later Landed

Deschanel recounts on Call Her Daddy that filmmakers tailored Jovie to her singing, illustrating how a late casting shift shaped a lasting Christmas favorite.

Overview

  • Deschanel says director Jon Favreau told her at her audition that the Jovie role had been offered to Katie Holmes.
  • Holmes later exited over a scheduling conflict, and Deschanel was subsequently cast as Jovie in the 2003 film.
  • Deschanel says the team worked her singing into the character, reflecting a flexible approach to the part.
  • Her account was shared this week on the Call Her Daddy podcast and picked up by multiple entertainment outlets, with no public response from Holmes or Favreau reported.
  • Elf went on to gross roughly $220–230 million worldwide and has endured as a modern holiday staple.