Movies

‘John Tucker Must Die’ stars Brittany Snow, Penn Badgley haven’t been contacted about reported sequel

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Published July 5, 2024, 3:19 p.m. ET

Brittany Snow and Penn Badgley have suggested they may not be returning for the sequel to 2006’s “John Tucker Must Die,” which is reportedly in development.

On the July 4 episode of Badgley’s podcast, “Podcrushed,” the former co-stars disclosed that they haven’t been approached to reprise their roles, Kate and Scott.

“Penn, I don’t know if you’ve had a call, but I’ve gotten no call,” Snow, 38, remarked in response to questions about the sequel. 

Penn Badgley and Brittany Snow have hinted they may not be returning for the sequel to 2006’s “John Tucker Must Die,” which is reportedly in development.
Penn Badgley and Brittany Snow have suggested they may not be returning for the sequel to 2006’s “John Tucker Must Die,” which is reportedly in development. ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
“Penn, I don’t know if you’ve had a call, but I’ve gotten no call."
“Penn, I don’t know if you’ve had a call, but I’ve gotten no call.” Getty Images

Badgley, 37, replied, “Yeah, I’ve had no call, no. I mean, it’s maybe possible like the superposition quantum physics, like everything is potentially within the realm of, like, maybe this apple will fall up, I actually can’t say with certainty.”

Their fellow “John Tucker” co-stars Jesse Metcalfe, Arielle Kebbel and Sophia Bush revealed that there was a script for a potential sequel to the early 2000s rom-com while reuniting at Epic Cons Chicago in March. 

From left: Arielle Kebbel, Sophia Bush, Brittany Snow, Jesse Metcalfe and Penn Badgley on the set of "John Tucker Must Die" (2006)
From left: Arielle Kebbel, Sophia Bush, Brittany Snow, Jesse Metcalfe and Penn Badgley on the set of “John Tucker Must Die” (2006) ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

Metcalfe, 45, heard rumors about the screenplay for the second movie, but hadn’t read it yet.

“I’ve been hearing rumblings about this script circulating Hollywood — apparently it’s amazing,” he said at the time. “I’d definitely love to be a part of it, and I can’t wait to read it.”

Metcalfe heard rumors about the screenplay for the second movie, but he hadn’t read it yet.
Metcalfe has heard rumors about the screenplay for the second movie, but hasn’t read it yet. ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

“The rumor is true,” Kebbel, 39, confirmed. “I started producing a few years ago. There is a script. We are very proud of it. It does involve all of the OG cast.” 

Bush, 41, meanwhile, said that she was “ready to go” to work on the project, too.

The original film followed three high school students (Bush, Kebbel and Ashanti) who discover that they’re all dating John Tucker (Metcalfe). They then scheme to plot their revenge and enlist Snow’s Kate to help.

The original film followed three high school students (Bush, Kebbel and Ashanti) who discover that they’re all dating John Tucker (Metcalfe). They then scheme to exact their revenge and enlist Snow’s Kate to help. ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

On the “Podcrushed” episode, Snow admitted to being out of the loop on recent developments, despite previous conversations with Kebbel about the project.

“I have been talking to Arielle about this for years because she was trying to get it off the ground, but I didn’t know what happened,” Snow explained. “And it kind of just, I was like, ‘Go forth with that.’ But so, that was the last I had heard of it, was that she was trying to make it happen. And so I guess she did? So, yeah, I will read whatever people [send me]. They’ve worked really hard.”

Snow admitted to being out of the loop on recent developments, despite previous conversations with Kebbel about the project.
Snow admitted to being out of the loop on recent developments, despite previous conversations with Kebbel about the project. ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

Badgley questioned how his small role as John’s brother Scott in the original film could factor into a new storyline, but Snow insisted she couldn’t do it without the actor who played her love interest.

Laughing, the “Pitch Perfect” star said, “I’m not doing it if you’re not doing it.” 

“Never have I even thought of that as a potential thing. But I guess if there was a script, I would read it,” Badgley added.

Badgley told Snow he would read a script for it if given one.
Badgley told Snow he would read a script for the sequel if given one. Corbis via Getty Images
Badgley questioned how his smaller role as John’s brother Scott in the original film could factor into a new storyline
Badgley questioned how his small role as John’s brother Scott in the original film could factor into a new storyline. ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

Metcalfe expanded on the sequel’s storyline in an interview with E! News. He emphasized that the sequel highlights his character’s growth and that the narrative is more “conscientious” than the original and “not quite as misogynistic.”

“My character has a great arc,” he said in April. “John has a daughter, and, you know, you see how fearful he is that she’s gonna get John Tuckered.”

Metcalfe emphasized that the sequel highlights his character’s growth and that the narrative is more “conscientious” than the original and “not quite as misogynistic.”
Metcalfe emphasized that the sequel highlights his character’s growth and that the narrative is more “conscientious” than the original and “not quite as misogynistic.” ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

The film hasn’t been greenlit yet, but the actor hopes the “very funny” script will help the project get off the ground.

“Hopefully, that’ll push it over the finish line,” he remarked. “We’re in a Y2K moment right now, when nostalgia always sells. So, I’m optimistic that the movie will get made.”