Teen comedy film John Tucker Must Die marks its 20th anniversary this August as cast members share behind the scenes secrets.
The story follows three ex-girlfriends, played by Arielle Kebbel, Sophia Bush and Ashanti, who set up title character John, a serial cheater played by Jesse Metcalfe, to fall for new girl Kate, played by Brittany Snow, so they can break his heart.
In spite of lacklustre reviews, the romcom made nearly $70 million worldwide at the box office and has become a cult classic.
Jesse Metcalfe casting and role preparation
Jesse Metcalfe was cast in the film before any of the female leads, with producers building the cast around him.
"I had a little bit of input as to who they cast - not a lot, but a little bit," the actor shared with E! News in 2006. "It was tough to cut anybody. I mean, I didn't really have that much power where I could say, 'No, I don't want her in the movie,' but they definitely took my suggestions into consideration."
Regarding the final cast selection, he added: "I think they really did a great job putting together a really all-star young, hot cast."
Desperate Housewives star Metcalfe, now 47, watched teen comedies Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Can't Buy Me Love to prepare for his role as John. However, he noted that during high school he was nothing like his popular lothario character, describing himself as a bit of a loner.
Metcalfe stated that he actually related more to his brother's character in the film, played by Penn Badgley, who was quieter and went under the radar.
Badgley went on to star as Dan in Gossip Girl and become a major Hollywood actor, recently appearing as protagonist Joe Goldberg in the Netflix series You.
Cast friendship and real life drama
The four main female actresses have spoken over the years about how close they became during filming and how they remained friends.
Sophia Bush said after filming: "These girls, I couldn't get through a month without talking to them if I tried."
"And we all, whether it was amazing things or not-so-great things, we all had a lot going last summer and we all pulled each other through a lot," Bush added. "And I knew that there was something to it when, at 4am, if one of us was having a problem we could call the other and we'd all end up sleeping in each other's beds all the time."
She recalled that filming felt like "sleep-away camp" and "slumber party time", describing one evening spent in Brittany Snow's room.
"Brittany and I were on the couch and we'd ordered food and we're chowing down, and Arielle's over in the armchair and we're all writing and she's putting together a package, and Ashanti's over sitting at the desk and she's got her headphones on and she's working on her new song," Bush said. "And we're jamming and we're at that point where we weren't even talking, we just wanted to be together. And I was like, this is what I have with my best girlfriends, and this is amazing."
Mirroring the storyline of the film, Snow actually discovered that her boyfriend of two years had been cheating on her during filming and found support from her co-stars.
It was a busy period for all the women, as Bush was also working on One Tree Hill during production and Ashanti was writing new music.
Director Betty Thomas and film debuts
Director Betty Thomas is a famous actress herself, best known for playing Velda Plendor, the archnemesis of Phyllis Nefler, in the 1989 classic comedy Troop Beverly Hills.
Her other filmmaking credits include The Brady Bunch Movie, Private Parts, Dr. Dolittle and 28 Days.
Another star who made their film debut in John Tucker Must Die would go on to build an impressive career: Taylor Kitsch. He had a brief role playing a neighbour who brings Kate's hot mum Lori a moving-in gift.
Less than three months after the film's release, Friday Night Lights premiered and Kitsch became a global star.
The cast kept fond memories of production, and some preserved items from the set. Snow kept the flowers that were in her hair during the romantic scene where John kissed Kate on a boat.
"I told the hair and makeup lady that I wanted a fun up-do on the boat so it didn't get messed up when it was windy," Snow told Us Weekly. "And she did this elaborate updo that's so ridiculous! If you go back and watch the movie it's like, 'Why would Kate ever have that elaborate of a hairdo?' And she put flowers in my hair… so I think I still have those flowers somewhere."
Sequel status and script details
Back in 2024, it was reported that John Tucker Must Die may be getting a sequel, with star Arielle Kebbel confirming that the script included all of the original main cast.
At the time, all the main stars indicated they were up for the challenge.
"I've heard rumors of this script - there's a script," Metcalfe revealed during a panel at Epics Con in Chicago, according to People. "Apparently it's amazing."
The Divine Influencer actor added: "I'd definitely love to be a part of it. Can't wait to read it."
However, the project was subsequently shelved by the studio and is currently on pause.
