Yes, Zooey Deschanel actually sings in Elf (but the “baby it’s cold outside” scene almost didn’t happen)

Zooey Deschanel memorably sings “Baby it’s Cold Outside” alongside Will Ferrell. elevenAnd surprisingly, it is actually the actress performing her own vocals. Often ranked among the best Christmas movies ever, eleven is a delightful holiday classic that’s great for the whole family, thanks to a star-making performance from Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf, as well as a really funny story with an unexpected heart at its center. The film earned an 86% on Rotten tomatoes and made $229 million at the box office (via Box Office Mojo).

Despite coming out in 2003, quoted from eleven Can be heard year-round, although the winter season always brings them more than ever. eleven It was also the first time many movie watchers were introduced to Zooey Deschanelwho until that year had only had small roles in a handful of movies and TV shows. in elevenDeschanel plays Jovie, an uninspired mall worker who Buddy immediately falls for. It’s a complete 180 from you New girl character, Jess, but she’s equally funny and charming, and she even sings.

Eleven’s “baby it’s cold outside” scene was written especially for Zooey Deschanel

Jon Favreau only wrote the scene after learning Deschanel could sing

In one of Jovie’s more memorable scenes, she slips into the employee bathroom before her shift and starts singing, “Baby it’s cold outside” in the shower. However, Buddy, unaware of the inappropriateness of his actions, walks in and joins the duet. Deschanel’s anger when she realizes there is a man in the women’s room is hilariously punctuated by Buddy fleeing the bathroom with his eyes covered, and smashing into the lockers. novelty, This scene was not originally written for the movie.

Deschanel recalls director Jon Favreau telling her (via EW),

“I remember [director] Jon Favreau told me they brought it up to whoever played the part. One actress they were looking at was good at skateboarding. But then I had a cabaret and I felt a lot. They knew I was a singer, so they put that to be my special thing that he could discover that I’m good at.”

The only reason the scene was written was because Favreau knew Deschanel could pull it off. If it was the other actress, it sounds like audiences might have to see Buddy pull a kickflip. That might have been funnier, but the scene in the film has a simple, goofy, sweetness and a classic song to go with it. Deschanel is particularly surprised by Will Ferrell’s singing skills,

“He said he wasn’t a singer, so I wasn’t expecting much, but his dad was [Roy Lee Ferrell Jr.] is a great musician. I should have known he’d be good in secret!”

Just hearing the description of the scene, it might be easy to think it’s not old, but Deschanel explains exactly why it works,

“It’s funny because obviously everyone knows it’s not appropriate to go into the girl’s bathroom when someone’s showering, but he’s so believable as the innocent elf. It’s weird that he’s there, but you totally buy that his Intentions are pure and innocent.”

Buddy barely understands the finer points of what constitutes a normal breakfast, a combination of spaghetti with maple syrup and Pop Tarts; There is no way he understands that his actions are inappropriate. As Deschanel says, he is only in there because he hears a song, there is no other motive.

The big “Santa Claus is coming to town” scene was also added because of Deschanel

The original ending was more action-packed

eleven Has another memorable Christmas carol scene that comes at the end of the film. The citizens of NYC gather together to sing “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and viewers can thank Deschanel for the scene as well. Favreau recalls he didn’t even write the scene until he learned Deschanel could sing (via Rolling Stone),

“The whole Christmas spirit, saving Christmas, that was also pretty late in the game. That wasn’t in the original script. It had that magical feeling, that spirit-redemption. Buddy changing a lot of people in small ways and overall Changing the personality of the city, that’s something that I think gives the movie heart.”

The original end of eleven Had police officers chase down Santa’s sleigh and every member of Buddy’s family found their way onto it, proving Buddy right about Santa (via DenOfGeek). It’s not a bad idea for a finale, but the one in eleven is a Christmas classic. Jovie finally singing in front of a crowd, Walter (James Caan) giving into the spirit of the season, and the city of New York coming together is so perfectly Christmas, anything else would feel less like, and Viewers can thank Zooey Deschanel for it.