Jonathan Scott and Zooey Deschanel; Will Ferrell inElf(2003).Photo:Anna Webber/Variety via Getty; Alan Markfield/New Line Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock
Anna Webber/Variety via Getty; Alan Markfield/New Line Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock
A lot has changed forZooey DeschanelsinceElfpremiered 20 years ago — but her beau is still a fan!
In an interview surrounding theWill Ferrell-starringChristmascomedy’s 20th anniversary, the actress revealed the biggestElffan in her household is “probably [fiancé]Jonathan [Scott].”
“My kids saw it once but they still mainly only watch animated movies so haven’t quite connected with it yet. But maybe this year!” adds Deschanel, 43, who is mom to two children with ex-husbandJacob Pechenik: daughterElsie, 8, and sonCharlie, 6.
“Everyone was incredibly kind to me and I had the most wonderful timegetting to work with everyone,” Deschanel remembers of making the New York City-set film. “Will is probably one of the nicest people I’ve ever met in my life!”
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Zooey Deschanel inElf(2003).New Line Cinema/Photofest
New Line Cinema/Photofest
When asked about the chemistry between Deschanel and Ferrell, 56, casting director Susie Farris tells PEOPLE that theNew Girlalum is “so warm and open and has this innocence and vulnerability that I feel like the two of them were really able to connect on that level.”
“And obviously her voice was a tremendous help just in terms of her character,” adds Farris. “I feel like that brought a whole other level — that she’s actually a singer — and just that scene where she’s singing, it was so touching to me.”
“We did a reading of the movie for charity a few years back and it was so fun to get to see everyone. Always a delight,” Deschanel says.
As for her favorite moment from the set, the actress recalls, “Laughing so hard I had to hide from the camera whenBuddy is attacking the fake Santa Claus!”
Daniel Tay and Will Ferrell inElf(2003).New Line/ Everett
New Line/ Everett
This holiday season, Deschanel says she’s most excited for “being with family,” and that she and Scott, 45, enjoy a good “Christmas date night.”
“We are big Christmas fans! But singing Christmas carols is my absolute favorite thing to do,” the actress and singer, who is one half of the musical duoShe & Him, tells PEOPLE of her household.
And of whether she’d ever return for anElfsequel, Deschanel says she doesn’t know why one hasn’t been made yet but insists, “I would do it.”
“So many wonderful people worked so hard on putting that movie together,” she says of why she believes theJon Favreau-directedElfhas stood the test of time.
“But most of all I think Will Ferrell was just so perfect in that part, and gave it 100% — I give a lot of the credit to him. His performance is perfection!” Deschanel adds.
For more onElf’s 20th anniversary, pick up the latest issue ofPEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.
source: people.com
