When looking to cast the role of Missy, Peyton Reed told MTV that he liked the juxtaposition of Eliza Dushku's look compared to Kirsten Dunst's. "I loved the idea that physically those two looked different: one's a blonde, one's a brunette. Almost like a second Archie comic in a way, there's Betty and Veronica. And she just seemed to be that character," he said.