Netflix’s new rom-com Voicemails for Isabelle stars Zoey Deutch and Nick Robinson, but the film originally looked very different

The new romantic comedy almost cast a superhero pop star in the lead role.

Netflix’s latest film Voicemails for Isabelle was originally developed with an entirely different actress lined up for the role that ultimately went to Zoey Deutch as Jill.

The streaming giant’s newest offering sees Deutch play an ambitious pastry chef reeling from the heartbreaking loss of her sister, Isabelle (played by Ciara Bravo).

After she begins leaving cathartic voicemails to her old number, she is unaware the line has been reassigned to real estate agent Wes (Nick Robinson), who slowly finds himself falling for the enchanting voice on the other end.

The two eventually come face to face in San Francisco, yet Wes struggles to come clean about a secret that threatens to destroy their budding romance.

Both leads are well-established rom-com favourites, with Deutch recognised for Set It Up alongside Glen Powell, and Robinson making his breakthrough in the queer high school hit Love, Simon — though the film originally looked quite different altogether, reports Wales Online.

First announced back in 2019, it was set to be helmed by Sharon Maguire, the director behind the original Bridget Jones’s Diary and its 2016 sequel, Bridget Jones’s Baby.

Hollywood star Hailee Steinfeld was originally attached to the lead role, having just appeared in the 2018 Transformers spin-off Bumblebee and lent her voice to Gwen Stacy / Spider-Gwen in the acclaimed animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

Steinfeld also boasts a thriving music career, having contributed her vocal talents to the second and third films in the Pitch Perfect franchise. Voicemails for Isabelle was among countless film projects derailed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Hollywood writers’ strikes.

Steinfeld has yet to publicly explain her reasons for departing the project, though her diary has undoubtedly become considerably busier since it was first announced.

In the interim, director Maguire also walked away from the production, with the directorial reins passing to screenwriter Leah McKendrick, who also stars as Breeda in the film.

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The project was originally backed by Sony Pictures and believed to have been intended for a cinema release, before Netflix stepped in to take over distribution.

In the years that followed, Steinfeld’s star has risen considerably, with the actress expanding her superhero credentials by taking on the role of Kate Bishop in the Disney+ series Hawkeye, alongside Jeremy Renner.

She also appeared in last year’s horror blockbuster Sinners, helmed by Black Panther director Ryan Coogler, which earned a Best Picture nomination at the Oscars.

Voicemails for Isabelle is available to stream on Netflix.