Hollywood, California – Lindsay Lohan, known for her iconic role in “Mean Girls,” has made a lucrative return to the franchise with a cameo in the new musical version of the film. Paramount reportedly paid Lohan a handsome sum of around $500,000 for just half a day’s work. The surprise appearance by Lohan in the movie, written by Tina Fey, received roaring applause at the New York premiere in January.
In her scene, Lohan revisits the math competition that was a pivotal moment in the original movie, providing a full-circle moment for the “Mean Girls” franchise. Lohan’s participation adds a clever bridge between the past and present, despite not playing a flashback or an older version of her teen alter ego, Cady Heron. The actress even flew in from Dubai to grace the red carpet.
Paramount’s decision to bring back original cast members for small but significant roles is part of their strategy to capitalize on nostalgia. Recent films like “Baywatch” in 2017 featured cameo appearances by the original stars. In the highly anticipated “Top Gun: Maverick” sequel set for 2022, Val Kilmer reprises his role as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky, even though he faced vocal challenges after battling throat cancer.
Directed by Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr., the musical adaptation of “Mean Girls” has already found success at the box office, debuting at No.1 during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend with a domestic haul of $33.2 million. Initially, Paramount planned to exclusively release the $36 million film on Paramount+ streaming platform but changed course after test screenings indicated a demand for a theatrical release. Interestingly, Lohan’s undisclosed involvement likely contributed to the film’s appeal among both Gen Z viewers and the over-35 demographic.
The new “Mean Girls” centers around the high school dramas faced by Cady Heron, played by Angourie Rice, as she navigates the social hierarchy ruled by Regina George, portrayed by Reneé Rapp. Avantika Vandanapu and Bebe Wood round out the film’s main cast, while Tina Fey and Tim Meadows reprise their roles as a math teacher and principal, respectively.
Lohan’s return to the spotlight comes after a more than decade-long hiatus from major studio films. She recently appeared in the Netflix romantic comedy “Falling for Christmas” and is set to star in Netflix’s “Irish Wish,” premiering on March 15. With her memorable cameo in the new “Mean Girls,” Lohan proves that her talent and appeal have endured over the years.