Posted on Dec 21, 2025Zooey Deschanel Revealed That She Almost Lost Her "Elf" Role To A VERY Different ActorThis just might change the way you view a holiday classic...forever.by Larry FitzmauriceBuzzFeed StaffFacebookPinterestLink Elf is, of course, a holiday classic. If you haven't already watched it this holiday season, you're probably about to right now. (C)New Line Cinema/Courtesy Everett Collection Besides being a comic powerhouse for Will Ferrell, Elf also marked something of a breakout role for Zooey Deschanel, who played Buddy the Elf's love interest Jovie.