Eliza Dushku’s career in the early 2000s was on a serious upswing. Coming off her fan-favorite role as the badass, leather-clad slayer Faith Lehane in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, she was quickly becoming one of Hollywood’s most sought-after young actresses. But her casting in The New Guy (2002), a teen comedy about a nerdy outcast reinventing himself as a high school heartthrob, might not have been the most obvious choice for the edgy, tough-girl actress. So how did she land the role? Let’s dig in.
From Dark Slayer to Teen Comedy Queen
By the time The New Guy was in pre-production, Dushku had already made a name for herself playing fierce, no-nonsense characters. Hollywood loved her as the unpredictable and morally gray Faith, and she had also held her own alongside major stars in movies like Bring It On (2000) and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001). But The New Guy was a different beast—it was a goofy, slapstick teen comedy starring DJ Qualls, a far cry from her usual action-packed or darkly comedic roles.
So why did the filmmakers want her for the role of Danielle, the effortlessly cool and stunning love interest? Simple: they needed someone who could bring the same kind of commanding, self-assured presence that made her stand out in everything else she’d done. And, let’s be real—who was going to outshine Eliza Dushku in early 2000s Hollywood?
The Casting Process: Why She Was the Perfect Fit
While detailed accounts of Dushku’s audition process for The New Guy are scarce, it’s clear why she was the top choice. She had already proven she could play the ultimate “cool girl” in Bring It On, where she stole the show as the rebellious but lovable Missy. That kind of effortless charm and confidence made her an obvious contender for the role of Danielle.
Hollywood was in love with the archetype of the “hot but approachable” dream girl at the time—think Rachel Leigh Cook in She’s All That or Julia Stiles in 10 Things I Hate About You—but Dushku brought an edge that set her apart. She wasn’t just there to be the pretty girl next door. She had presence. She had bite. And even in a lighthearted comedy, she wasn’t about to play a one-dimensional girlfriend role.
Shooting The New Guy: Texas Heat and Low-Rise Jeans
Filming for The New Guy took place in various Texas locations, including Austin, San Marcos, and Elgin, from October 2000 to January 2001. And if there’s one thing early 2000s pop culture remembers about this film—besides its absolutely bonkers humor—it’s Dushku rocking those iconic low-rise pants and tiny tops.
Her wardrobe in the movie became a moment, firmly cementing her as an early-2000s style icon. She wasn’t just playing the love interest; she was the effortlessly cool, head-turning It-girl every guy wanted and every girl wanted to be.
The Film’s Reception: A Hot Mess, But Who Cared?
Let’s be honest—The New Guy was never going to win any Oscars. The movie was a wild, ridiculous ride that critics largely panned (a Rotten Tomatoes score barely scraping past 7% is not a flex). But that didn’t matter. Teen audiences loved it, and the film made over $31 million at the box office against a $13 million budget.
Dushku, in particular, came out of the movie unscathed. While the film itself was forgettable, she wasn’t. If anything, it solidified her as one of the early 2000s’ reigning teen queens—someone who could take even the most absurd project and still be the most memorable thing about it.
Eliza Dushku: The Ultimate Early-2000s Cool Girl
In the grand scheme of Eliza Dushku’s career, The New Guy might not be the first thing people think of—but it was another notch in her belt as one of the most effortlessly magnetic actresses of the era. Her casting wasn’t just about finding a beautiful actress to play the love interest; it was about bringing in someone who could make the role pop.
And that’s exactly what she did. Whether she was fighting vampires, leading a cheer squad rebellion, or making a dorky DJ Qualls look cool, Eliza Dushku owned every role she took. And if nothing else, The New Guy proved one thing: even in the silliest of movies, you could not take your eyes off her.
