John Tucker Must Die’s Arielle Kebbel Says Sequel Has Been “Shelved”

John Tucker may have to change his name to John Doe.

Arielle Kebbel says a potential sequel to the 2006 film John Tucker Must Die is currently stalled. Almost two years ago, Kebbel and her co-stars, Jesse Metcalfe and Sophia Bush, had confirmed a sequel was in the works, but she’s now stated its future is uncertain.

Okay, so I was totally listening to Kaitlyn Bristowe’s podcast the other day, and Arielle was on, and she was telling me about her producing career! Apparently, one of the very first things she sold was a sequel to John Tucker Must Die! Can you believe it?! And get this – the entire original cast was supposed to come back! They were working with the studio, and she said they finally got a script right before the writers’ strike started. I’m seriously SO excited about this potential movie, I’ve been following her work ever since!

The 41-year-old actress, who also appeared as Carrie in the film with Ashanti, Brittany Snow, and Penn Badgley, said things started to move more slowly after the writers’ strike finished in September 2023.

After the writers’ strike ended, we expected to start casting for the project. However, the studio completely changed its plans. That’s just how things work in the film industry, but unfortunately, the project has been put on hold. It’s not canceled for good, but it’s not moving forward right now.

Even though the news was a bit disappointing, the former star of Aquamarine still believes the movie will eventually be remade.

“The moment will come,” she manifested. “But it’s on pause for now.”

In March 2024, Arielle, Jesse, and Sophia began discussing the script, hinting that John, the main character, might undergo a positive transformation. Jesse, who played John, expressed enthusiasm about showcasing this character development, but playfully added that John’s famous physique would still be on display.

The 47-year-old actor said at Epic Cons Chicago that he was excited to show off his physique – affectionately calling it a ‘dad bod’ – in an upcoming film.

The former Desperate Housewives star has said he’s happy the movie is considered a beloved cult classic, which shows his dedication to the project.

In a March 2021 interview with Too Fab, the speaker described the movie as a classic that’s been shared between siblings over the years. They expressed pride in the film, praising director Betty Thomas and highlighting the many talented actors who have since become very successful.

Keep reading to catch up on all the secrets behind John Tucker Must Die…

Jesse Metcalfe, who was becoming well-known for playing the gardener John Rowland on Desperate Housewives, was chosen to play the lead role—a bit of a troublemaker—before any of the actresses who would play the female leads had signed on. He was 26 years old at the time.

Back in 2006, the actor told TopMob News he had some minor influence on the casting choices, but didn’t reveal which actors had great chemistry together or which ones didn’t quite click.

It was difficult to ask anyone to leave the project. I didn’t have the final say on casting – I couldn’t simply decide who stayed or went – but the producers did listen to my opinions and suggestions, according to Metcalfe.

You know, he wrapped things up by saying he was really impressed with the cast they assembled – a genuinely talented and exciting group of young actors. It was clear he thought they nailed it in finding some real stars!

The actresses at the center of Metcalfe’s show quickly became friends both on and off camera, and a complicated love story wasn’t needed to bring them together. Sophia Bush told Movieweb about the close bond she formed with her costars, Brittany Snow, Ashanti, and Arielle Kebbel, while filming in Vancouver.

I couldn’t have gone a month without talking to those girls,” said the actress who played Beth on One Tree Hill, as well as John Tucker’s third girlfriend. “We were all going through a lot that summer, both good and bad, and we really supported each other. I knew we had something special when, even at 4 a.m., if one of us was struggling, we could call each other and we’d all end up falling asleep together. It felt like sleepaway camp or a constant slumber party – it was amazing and so much fun.

She remembered a night near the end of filming when everyone was just relaxing together in Snow’s room for no particular reason.

Brittany and I were relaxing on the couch, eating food we’d ordered. Arielle was in an armchair, working on a package, while Ashanti sat at the desk with headphones on, writing a new song. We were all working creatively, enjoying each other’s company without even needing to talk. It was a really special moment, and it made me realize how amazing my close friendships are.

But the girls did gang up on John Tucker in real life, just a bit.

In 2016, Snow told Us Weekly about a prank they played on Jesse that didn’t go down well. They printed a bunch of shirtless photos of him – pictures that had already appeared in magazines – and covered the set with them. Jesse was mortified and upset, but the pranksters thought it was incredibly funny. He took it surprisingly well, though Snow suspects he was secretly furious.

Snow and Ashanti previously collaborated in 2002 when Ashanti played Dionne Warwick in a guest appearance on Snow’s NBC series, American Dreams, which was set during the Bandstand era.

Ashanti recalled signing an autograph for a young fan, Brittany. She told Movieweb that she remembers it being a fun time, noting Brittany was very young when she met her. Ashanti achieved a milestone in 2002 by having both the number one and number two songs on the Billboard 100 chart – “Always on Time” and “What’s Luv” – and fondly remembers that period.

Snow, the actress, was thrilled to work with Ashanti! She’s six years younger than Ashanti and recalls feeling a bit nervous when they first collaborated on the movie John Tucker Must Die, where Ashanti played the popular cheerleader, Heather.

I told her right away how much of a fan I was,” Snow remembered. “I said, ‘You have no idea how much I’ve always admired you, and I still do, but I’m trying to play it cool!’ She responded with that famous laugh of hers. She’s truly incredible – it was amazing to meet someone so talented and well-known who is also so kind and down-to-earth. That’s what I really appreciate about her.

Metcalfe shared with TopMob News that the well-known scene where Kate asks John to wear a thong and accidentally sends him to the wrong hotel during a road trip wasn’t part of the initial script – and likely there was a good reason for that.

He remembered that director Betty Thomas carefully brought up the idea of him wearing a thong in the movie. He said she gently suggested it, and his immediate reaction was, ‘What?! No way, that’s not going to happen,’ which made him laugh when he recalled it.

Ultimately, things worked out for the best. “She gradually talked me into it over three days,” Metcalfe explained. “It’s a comedy, so you have to be willing to do anything for a laugh. I did it, and I don’t regret it at all.”

Not only did he get the laugh, he added, “I feel like I pull it off.”

Just to confirm, it was really him doing the workout scene! Snow told Us Weekly that she and Jesse spent hours every day at the gym before and after work, preparing for it. She said they’d just look at each other and laugh at how surreal it was, and that Jesse put in a lot of effort to get in shape for the scene.

I always get excited when I recognize someone involved in a film, and the director, Thomas, immediately rang a bell! It turns out she played Velda Plendor, Phyllis Neffler’s rival, in my all-time favorite, Troop Beverly Hills! But she’s so much more than that one role. She’s actually an incredibly accomplished Emmy-winning actress and director – she won for Hill Street Blues back in ’85 and Dream On in ’93. And she’s directed some really fun movies too, like The Brady Bunch Movie, Private Parts, Dr. Dolittle, and 28 Days. It’s amazing to see someone with such a diverse and successful career!

Taylor Kitsch, who would later star in the movie John Carter, makes his first appearance in a feature film here. He plays the neighbor who becomes infatuated with Kate’s attractive mother, Lori, played by Jenny McCarthy, when the family moves in.

Just under three months after that, the TV show Friday Night Lights debuted, and Kitsch quickly became popular as the brooding and emotional teenage heartthrob.

Before becoming famous with Gossip Girl, Penn Badgley played a sweet, down-to-earth character named Scott in John Tucker Must Die. He was known as “the Other Tucker” and was a genuinely nice guy who saw Kate for who she truly was.

In a 2016 interview with Us Weekly, Snow was asked if she believed Kate and Scott were still a couple after ten years. She responded, “I really hope so! I don’t know, but they seemed like high school sweethearts. Even if they’re not together, I’m sure they’re still close friends—they bonded over podcasts and were early adopters of cool trends.”

Kebbel, known for her role as Carrie—the ambitious, driven leader of the Forest Hills High School TV station—was already experienced in covering important current events.

I was in fifth grade and part of the school news show. We created a song about staying away from drugs, set to the tune of ‘Stop in the Name of Love.’ It included a whole dance with lyrics like, ‘Stop! And say no to drugs, give yourself a hug, and think it over.’ Looking back, even in elementary school, I think I was always destined to be Carrie Schaeffer – I’ve never been afraid to give it my all when performing for the school news.

Snow quietly took a beaker from the chemistry lab, but she held onto the flowers that had been in her hair when John kissed Kate on a yacht.

I asked the hair and makeup artist for a playful updo for the boat scenes, something that wouldn’t fall apart in the wind, she explained to Us Weekly. But she created this incredibly over-the-top hairstyle! Looking back at the movie, it seems strange that my character would have such a complicated hairdo. She even added flowers to my hair…I probably still have them tucked away somewhere.

When asked if the scene of Kate, Beth, Carrie, and Heather playing a video game was intended to appeal to male viewers, Snow responded sharply, pointing out that “girls play video games!” Bush agreed wholeheartedly.

Snow was practicing her Madden skills, Kebbel enjoyed playing Halo, and Ashanti was skilled at Mortal Kombat.

Surprisingly, no one was actually hurt during the gym fight scene. That’s where Carrie, Beth, and Heather discover they’ve all been dating the same guy, John Tucker. Tired of being ignored, Kate steps in to try and stop the situation.

I’ll never forget how early in filming we were when we were just cracking up at how silly it was to throw volleyballs at each other,” Snow told Us Weekly. “We instantly knew we’d have great chemistry. We really connected… That volleyball scene was totally over the top, and I kept getting hit in the head, even though it stung!

Oh my gosh, she actually said it! She admitted the fight scene was…well, terrible! She was like, ‘I think I only got bonked in the head five or six times,’ and then called it the lamest fight scene ever! Can you believe it? It’s just…so honest! Though, honestly, Mr. Firth and Mr. Grant might have a different opinion, considering they were in it, but still! It’s amazing she’d say that!

Kebbel explained to Chuck The Movie Guy that she was repeatedly hit in the head during filming. However, she and the other actors were eager to be part of the scene, and they found that physically hitting each other—making it feel more realistic—actually made it funnier.

In 2007, Snow publicly discussed her battle with eating disorders and how challenging it was to start filming a movie immediately after completing treatment.

I finished treatment a few days ahead of schedule and went directly to the set of John Tucker Must Die. I’d actually gained about ten pounds, bringing me to 120, which isn’t much, but I understood why the producers wanted me in good shape for a scene where I was in my underwear. They were considerate and provided a trainer and diet plan to help me.

I’m so grateful for my colleagues Sophia Bush and Arielle Kebbel. I needed their support because I was really struggling. We’d exercise together, and they’d help me stop pushing myself too hard – Sophia would even encourage me to enjoy food! We became close, having fun like friends do, which was a huge change for me. Before, I was constantly restricting myself and obsessing over calories; I felt like I wasn’t allowed to enjoy things like eating with friends.

Bryan Metcalfe has gotten used to being mistaken for the character ‘John Tucker’ by strangers. But apparently, even actor Jonathan Tucker himself deals with it! Metcalfe told TooFab that he met Tucker in Vancouver while they were both working on separate projects in Canada. Tucker confessed that having a similar name is a constant annoyance, as people frequently assume he’s the actor from the movie ‘John Tucker Must Die’ when they meet him.

Okay, so this is totally true! I was reading TooFab, and Tucker actually said getting brought up with Metcalfe is just… annoying for him! He even remembered seeing Metcalfe while they were both in Vancouver, and he was just like, ‘Seriously?! You’re out here talking about me?!’ It’s wild, honestly. I can’t believe this is still happening, but I’m totally here for the drama! It’s like, he’s so frustrated, and I feel him, you know?

Metcalfe naturally wanted to convince viewers he wasn’t like the dishonest John Tucker. Ironically, by the time he landed the role, he’d become quite familiar with the attention and popularity that character received—more so than he remembered experiencing in his own high school days. Regardless, he understood the character’s world.

In a 2006 interview with Movieweb, the actor explained that connecting with a character is key for any performer. He felt he could relate to John Tucker, perhaps even more so to who he was a couple of years prior to filming. He aimed to make Tucker likable, and he achieved that by drawing on some memories of his own high school experiences, while also adding aspects of his own personality. However, he clarified that he was actually quite different from John Tucker in high school – a complete contrast, in fact.

2026-02-26 01:19

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