It must be Wednesday, because the hallways of North Shore High School are decked out in pink.
Its as if the whole school wants to ensure it can sit with the Plastics.
But someones missing and its not because shes gone to get cheese fries.
Avantika, Reneé Rapp, Bebe Wood, and Angourie Rice in ‘Mean Girls’.Jojo Whilden/Paramount
Moments later, a distant voice cuts through the crowd: We have Renee!
The film was an instant success, its influence spreading faster than a new Regina-inspired fashion trend.
it’s possible for you to have full conversations inMean Girls.
Avantika, Reneé Rapp, Bebe Wood, and Angourie Rice in ‘Mean Girls’.Jojo Whilden/Paramount
I think aMean Girlsquote is said somewhere in the world every five seconds.
When he didnt remember, she reminded him: It wasOctober 3rd.
It just resonated, Michaels says.
Reneé Rapp.
It was in the culture, and somehow it stayed current.
That lasting influence is also why theyre now bringing it back to theaters.
Michaels says of the new film.
Bebe Wood.
It isnt a remake, its a new interpretation.
It feels like a familiar enough story, but its for today.
And with an underlying message of accepting others, the story is perhaps more timely than ever.
Avantika.
Well, actually, theres one other actor whos walked these halls before.
Rapp first played Regina on Broadway in 2019.
Theres no version of my existence whereMean Girlswasnt a reference or a cultural moment, says Rapp, 23.
Reneé Rapp and Christopher Briney in ‘Mean Girls’.Jojo Whilden/Paramount
I was watching it when I was 4.
Its been around for 20 years and its just as popping as it always was.
You cant avoid it because its such a pop culture phenomenon.
Jaquel Spivey, Angourie Rice, and Auli’i Cravalho in ‘Mean Girls’.Jojo Whilden/Paramount
Shes more confrontational, less calculated, Rapp says of her Regina.
Make no mistake about it, Rapps Regina could kick your ass.
She really is powerful, Fey says of Rapp.
Tina Fey.Myriam Santos/Paramount Pictures
We did mention theres singing, right?
(Unless your name is Chris Briney, because Aaron is the only main character who doesnt sing.
I was so fine with it, Briney says, laughing.)
Angourie Rice.
Singing might be the biggest difference from the original film, but it isnt the only one.
(Say goodbye to those three-way phone calls Regina loved so much and say hello to TikTok.)
Bullying in the recent past is quite different than probably what it was in 2004, Avantika says.
Auli’i Cravalho.
This movie does a good job of capturing what modern-day bullying feels like.
As Cravalho sums it up, We have the Burn Book and we have social media.
His rap is still filthy and inappropriate, but its a bit more sex-positive, Fey teases.
Jaquel Spivey.
Fans will notice that Karen Smith is now Karen Shetty, and Janis Ian is now Janis ‘Imiike.
Representation is extremely important, Jayne says.
I wanted to be a part of it.
Christopher Briney.Myriam Santos/Paramount Pictures
Its cool to show theres somebody out there thats like you.
Thats whatMean Girlsdid for me.
I dont know if there was a world pre-Mean Girls.
Tina Fey and Angourie Rice in ‘Mean Girls’.Jojo Whilden/Paramount
Its just been the context for comedy for so long.
(Translation: You dont pass up the chance to be inMean Girls.)
Its another take on it, Jayne adds.
Reneé Rapp and Angourie Rice on the set of ‘Mean Girls’.Jojo Whilden/Paramount
Its tricky, because jokes have to be surprises to work, Fey admits.
That was a challenge we were trying to answer every day with this movie.
the question will be: Is this the last iteration ofMean Girls?
The cast might not remember life before it, but will they know life after it?
But also, is it a joke?
Literally tomorrow I have a meeting about taking the Broadway show to London, she adds.
