“Mean Girls” is one of those comedy classics that defy obsoleteness. Now, in 2024, comes a fresh take on this fan favourite high school comedy. Paramount has unveiled the first trailer for “Mean Girls,” a musical adaptation of the 2004 movie hit, and it promises to be equally hilarious and as relevant as the original movie.
It’s even going to be a terpsichorean party of a show. Now a musical, the Mean Girls 2024 trailer is riddled with familiar one liners, characters and comical moments.
Mean Girls 2024: The New Cast
The fresh and talented cast look promising and with track records to prove it, give fans a reason to be excited. The new cast of fresh talent leading the way is Renée Rapp, known for her role in “The Sex Lives of College Girls,” who takes on the iconic character of Regina George. Rapp’s reprisal of her Broadway role will undoubtedly be one of the reasons why fans would flock to watch the 2024 Mean Girls movie and the shift from stage to screen would be a treat as well.
Joining her are Auli’i Cravalho of “Moana” fame, Angourie Rice from “Mare of Easttown,” Christopher Briney from “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” and Jaquel Spivey of “A Strange Loop.” This new generation of actors brings a modern spin to the characters which brought unprecedented laughter to our TV rooms.
Rice portrays Cady Heron, the new girl at school who, under the guidance of Janis and Damian, played by Cravalho and Spivey, infiltrates the school’s elite social group known as the Plastics. There would be no movie without the ever-popular Aaron Samuels (Regina’s boyfriend) portrayed by Briney, who very much looks the part of the staple unattainable object-of-my-crush swoon worthy high school boy. How well he’ll play the Edward Cullens, Troy Dyers and John Bs of this Mean Girls 2024 musical adaptation leaves to be seen.
Returning Stars and the Creative Team
Tina Fey and Tim Meadows, who were part of the original movie, are making their return in this adaptation. Fey, who also wrote both the 2004 movie and the stage musical, is back as the screenwriter and producer. Let’s see how these familiar faces plus fresh talents could make Mean Girls 2024 more of an iconic comedy than the already hilarious OG.
Music and Direction
Jeff Richmond, whose acoustic wizardry is behind the melodies of the stage musical, provides the catchy tunes for this adaptation, with lyrics by Nell Benjamin. Co-directed by Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr., the film blends classic elements with contemporary touches. With TikTok and Snapchat garnering more than a mere mention, the movie should be relatable to a new generation.
The Trailer: A Sneak Peek
The new movie trailer gives us a sneak peek of “Mean Girls” transported to the 2020s. It’s interesting how the creators decided on a musical for their latest iteration. While retaining the essence of the original, “Mean Girls 2024” is re-attired with infectious tunes, first-rate choreography, and endearing characters. The trailer even includes the iconic Christmas dance scene, more than curing fans of their nostalgia.
Catch the trailer:
Mean Girls: A Modern Take
Distinct of all is the movie’s salute to technology. Without missing a beat, writers have re-adapted characters to be avid consumers of TikTok and Snapchat, replacing the old-school “burn book” and whispering campaign. This emphasis on technology is a nod to how teenagers today stay connected and operate in the digital era. But by replacing the old with the new, creators risk the ire of fans of the original who have a fondness for MacGuffins.
The clever interweaving of technology is also a way of stating the movie’s relevance and relatability to both older fans and today’s young moviegoers.
While the characters and their struggles are mostly unchanged, the setting and backdrop have been remade giving Mean Girls 2024 a new lease on life. The Plastics still reign supreme, and Cady Heron still navigates the treacherous waters of high school social hierarchies. Regina George, the ultimate mean girl, continues to hold her court with the help of the latest gadgets and technology. There’s no denying the characters’ timelessness, and the 2024 version of the movie further speaks to the story’s lasting impact across generations.
Where reboots are the go-to for studios, many have flopped or unimpressed at best. Then there’s Mean Girls 2024: intentional, entertaining and heartfelt mostly because those helming the movie and its making were there from the very start of the Mean Girls phenomenon. Whether it be the first movie, a Mean Girls 2 that didn’t quite meet expectations, this new Mean Girls (reborn), they’re more than a series of movies but rather a part of Mean Girls the brand, the experience — the phenomenon. Moreover, among the Mean Girls’ creators, there’s Tina Fey who’s still very much a part of the safeguarding of the brand.
“On Wednesdays we wear pink.”
Karen Smith
“That was so fetch.”
Gretchen Wieners
“That’s why her hair is so big…”
Damian
Quotes and Catchphrases
It’s not a stretch to think that Mean Girls owes most of its fame to its one-liners. These reverberate throughout the movie trailer and it’s easy to imagine a new generation start to adopt them as part of their daily banter and chitchat. Coming 20 years after the last movie of its namesake, let’s see how well Mean Girls 2024 recaptures old and new fans.
Conclusion: Mark Your Calendar
From the release of the original movie, Mean Girls caught on like wildfire, endearing it to fans everywhere. Now, after the release of the Mean Girls 2024 trailer on 8th November 2023, excitement and interest have been reignited. It won’t be too long now that we witness another generational reawakening of sorts with the movie reboot. Or will it be a tepid reception; let’s wait and see.
12th January 2024 (movie release date) is the date you want to mark on your calendar when we’ll hopefully be able to see if Pink makes an ardent comeback. If I told you what you did was so fetch would you be tickled or mortified?
Mean Girls Tour Dates and Locations
Meanwhile the musical version started the Musical: Mean Girls Tour on 6th November 2023 which runs until May of next year. Visit the Mean Girls tour dates here.
