It’s one of the great American teen comedy films.
And this August marks 20 years since John Tucker Must Die was released and we fell in love with characters Heather (Ashanti), Beth (Sophia Bush) Carrie (Arielle Kebbel) and Kate (Brittany Snow).
The story follows three ex-girlfriends – played by Kebbel, Bush and Ashanti – who set up the title character John (Jesse Metcalfe), a serial cheater, to fall for the new girl in town, played by Brittany Snow, so they can show him how it feels to have his heart broken.
In spite of lacklustre reviews, the romcom made nearly $70million worldwide at the box office and has become a cult classic.
But there’s plenty of facts from the film that you might not know:
It’s one of the great American teen comedy films. And this August marks 20 years since John Tucker Must Die was released (Jesse Metcalfe and Sophia Bush seen in the movie)
Viewers fell in love with characters Heather (Ashanti), Beth (Sophia Bush) Carrie (Arielle Kebbel) and Kate (Brittany Snow)
First up – Jesse was actually cast in the film before any of the women were and they then worked 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.’
For the final casting decision, he said, ‘I think they really did a great job putting together a really all-star young, hot cast.’
Desperate Housewives star Jesse, now 47, watched teen comedies Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Can’t Buy Me Love in order to prepare for his role as John.
But he has said in the past that when he was at high school he was nothing like his popular lothario character in the film – noting that he was a bit of a ‘loner’.
He added 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.
Penn went on to star as Dan in Gossip Girl and become a huge Hollywood actor, recently appearing as protagonist Joe Goldberg in Netflix series You.
In terms of the four main girls – the actresses have all spoken over the years about how close they became during filming and remained friends.
Sophia 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. 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.
Back in 2024 it was reported that John Tucker Must Die may be getting a sequel (Sophia, Jesse and Arielle reuniting at Epics Con in Chicago)
In spite of lacklustre reviews, the romcom made nearly $70million worldwide at the box office and has become a cult classic
Penn (seen left with Brittany) went on to star as Dan in Gossip Girl and become a huge Hollywood actor, recently appearing as protagonist Joe Goldberg in Netflix series You
‘It was sleep-away camp, it was slumber party time, it was incredible and fun.’
She recalled one night during filming where they all hung out in Brittany’s room.
Sophia said: ‘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.
‘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.’
And mirroring the film’s storyline, Brittany actually found out that her boyfriend of two years had been cheating on her while they were filming and found support from her co-stars.
It was a busy time in all the women’s lives as during the filming of John Tucker Must Die, Sophia was also working on One Tree Hill and Ashanti was writing new music.
Another surprising fact from the film is that its director Betty Thomas is actually a famous actress herself.
She is famous for playing Phyllis Nefler’s archnemesis, Velda Plendor, in the 1989 classic 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 have an impressive career: Taylor Kitsch.
He has a brief role in the film playing a neighbour who brings Kate’s hot mum Lori a moving-in gift.
Less than three months later, Friday Night Lights premiered and he became a global star.
It’s clear that the cast have fond memories of their time filming the movie and some of them even kept certain bits from set.
Brittany kept the flowers that were in her hair during the romantic scene where John kissed Kate on a boat.
She said of that day’s filming: ‘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,’ she 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.’
Back in 2024 it was reported that John Tucker Must Die may be getting a sequel.
At the time all the main stars said that they were up for the challenge.
‘I’ve heard rumors of this script – there’s a script,’ Jesse revealed during their panel at Epics Con in Chicago, according to People. ‘Apparently it’s amazing.’
‘I’d definitely love to be a part of it,’ the Divine Influencer actor added. ‘Can’t wait to read it.’
However, the project was shelved by the studio and is currently on pause.
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