Selma Blair was considered for the role of Jovie in the 2003 comedy Elf before Zooey Deschanel took it, Andy Richter says. Richter shared the story in an interview with Us while promoting his book, Elf Unwrapped: Behind the Scenes of a Modern Christmas Classic.
“I found out from Zoey that they talked about Selma Blair doing it before she was on board,” Richter said. He added that he did not know why potential cast members came and went, but believed Katie Holmes may have been unavailable because she was committed to another project.
Richter said the filmmakers wanted Jovie’s performer to bring a real-life talent to the role. Deschanel’s singing was incorporated into the film, while Blair was reportedly known as a skateboarder. “They were going to maybe have Jovie skateboard around Manhattan,” Richter said.
Deschanel has previously recalled that director Jon Favreau told her Holmes had already been offered the part when she first met with him. Deschanel auditioned anyway and was later cast after Holmes left the project. She said the character could be shaped around its performer, and that her singing experience suited the role.
Richter, who played Morris, an employee at the children’s book publisher where Walter Hobbs works, wrote his book while also appearing on Dancing With the Stars. He said he finished its final section in his trailer on the show after being eliminated in week nine. Will Ferrell wrote the foreword, and Richter said support from Ferrell and Favreau was important to making the book reflect the film’s production.
Elf Unwrapped: Behind the Scenes of a Modern Christmas Classic is scheduled to be published on November 3. Richter said watching Elf has become a holiday ritual for his family.
Sources: Us Weekly.