Catch up with the crew from Championship Vinyl, their old flames, and their new love interests.
Given that specific appeal, its no wonder Hollywood came calling.
The result wasStephen FrearsHigh Fidelity(2000), withJohn Cusackin the starring role.
The cast of ‘High Fidelity’, then and now.Credit:Buena Vista Pictures
That so many of his past roles were defined by their love of music was the cherry on top.
The actor helped adapt Hornbys novel into a screenplay, changing the setting from London to Cusacks native Chicago.
But once you sort of switched those around and took away the British accents, they were the same.
John Cusack, then and now.Buena Vista Pictures; Paul Natkin/Getty
Iben Hjejle (Laura)
Buena Vista Pictures; SitterPodcast/Instagram
Danish actressIben Hjejleplays Robs girlfriend Laura.
Its their breakup that sets the movie in motion.
High Fidelitywas most Americans introduction to Hjejle.
John Cusack, Jack Black, Todd Louiso, and Tim Robbins in ‘High Fidelity’.Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
I knew he was like one of those, what do you call it, teenage heartthrobs?
And I lovedSay Anything, which I thought was wonderful, and he was gorgeous.
But the terrible thing is, I said, Are you the guy fromFerris Buellers Day Off?
Iben Hjejle, then and now.Buena Vista Pictures; SitterPodcast/Instagram
And he said, Oh, just dont worry, Ive had that happen to me so many times.
He was so nice about it.
Her biggest recent achievement was winning a Reumert Award (the Danish equivalent of a Tony) forLaegen.
Jack Black, then and now.Buena Vista Pictures; Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
He initially declined the role of Barry,acknowledging he wasterrified of failing.
I was terrified of being bad in this movie and also terrified of working with Stephen Frears.
The director wouldnt take no for an answer and requested that Black meet with him anyway.
Todd Louiso, then and now.Buena Vista Pictures; Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty
And that was not the case.
And that was not a good reason.
He also reunited with Linklater to tell a bizarre true crime tale inBernie(2011).
Catherine Zeta-Jones, then and now.Buena Vista Pictures; Arnold Jerocki/Getty
Black, who has been leading his band Tenacious D since 1994, married fellowmusician Tanya Hadenin 2006.
Still, he admitted he scored the role inHigh Fidelitybecause someone else declined it.
But thats usually the case with any break as an actor somebodys passed, someone whos a name.
Lisa Bonet, then and now.Buena Vista Pictures; Rodin Eckenroth/Getty
He also wrote the Shakespeare epicMacbeth(2015), featuring Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard.
Louiso is married to writer Sarah Koskoff.
Catherine Zeta-Jones (Charlie Nicholson)
Buena Vista Pictures; Arnold Jerocki/Getty
Catherine Zeta-Jonesdoesnt just playanyex-girlfriend.
Sara Gilbert, then and now.Buena Vista Pictures; Rich Fury/Getty
Of all the ones that got away in Robs mind, her Charlie Nicholson istheone that got away.
Securing her for a small supporting part was a big coup forHigh Fidelity.
Most recently, she was perfectly cast as Morticia Addams onWednesday(2022present).
Lili Taylor, then and now.Buena Vista Pictures; Amy Sussman/Getty
Zeta-Joneshas been marriedto actorMichael Douglassince 2000.
The actress stepped out of the spotlight in later years with only occasional roles.
She showed up looking extraordinary, and she just did it,Frears toldVibe.
Joan Cusack, then and now.
I mean, she is what she is: distinctive, mysterious, extraordinary.
We would be remiss if we didnt mention one unique bit of trivia.
WhenHigh Fidelitywas adapted into a series, producers gender-swapped the lead character.
Tim Robbins, then and now.Buena Vista Pictures; Karwai Tang/WireImage
The star was Bonets daughter,Zoe Kravitz, from her marriage to rock starLenny Kravitz.
Bonet was later in a long-term relationship with actorJason Momoa.
The two wed in 2017 anddivorced in 2024.
They share two children.
Stephen Frears saw me in something else, so he cast me,Gilbert told EW in 2020.
I was, like, That is so bizarre that this huge director wants to cast me.
He had no idea whatRoseannewas or didn’t recognize me from that at all.
I remember being excited that someone liked something else that I did because I was mainly known forRoseanne.
I think John [Cusack] or Steve [Pink] called,Taylor toldThe A.V.
They were like, Hey, you gotta come back and do this!
It just felt like the right thing to do.
She recently starred as Mary Todd Lincoln inManhunt(2024).
Taylor has been married to writer Nick Flynn since 2009.
She appeared inBeing Flynn(2012), the film adaptation of his memoir.
Joan Cusack (Liz)
It would hardly be a John Cusack movie without Joan Cusack.
Indeed, she makes her presence known as Lauras and brutally honest pal Liz.
The siblings have appeared in movies together for decades, dating back toClass(1983).
InSay Anything, fiction mirrored reality when she played Johns big sister.
After portraying his assistant inGrosse Pointe Blank, he helped cast her as his girlfriends bestie inHigh Fidelity.
That scene with Liz in the record store?
Yeah, I knew that would be a fine idea.
Of course, Joan has built a formidable career in her own right.
She later reunited with Jack Black as the memorably stressed-out principal inSchool of Rock.
Cusack has been married to lawyer Richard Burke since 1996.
They have two children.
Robbins and Cusack had been pals since 1985 when they worked together onThe Sure Thing.
Saying yes toHigh Fidelitys bit part was a no-brainer.
John I knew since he was 17,Robbins told EW in 2019.
Because I wanted to look like Steven Seagal.
I dont know what they were, probably Chiclets?
Just grab some candy from a craft services table.
A few years later, the actor won an Oscar forClint EastwoodsMystic River(2003).
He and Sarandon were married from 1988 to 2009.
