LOS ANGELES – “Mean Girls,” the iconic teen film from 2004, has made a successful comeback with its new musical adaptation. Despite being updated, the story’s cunning characters and their high school drama still captivate audiences.
The reboot follows Cady, a socially awkward homeschooler, as she navigates the strict social hierarchy of North Shore High School. Alongside her new friends, Janis and Damian, Cady learns about the queen bee, Regina George, and her group of friends known as the Plastics. When Cady’s crush is used against her, she teams up with Janis and Damian to plot revenge.
The movie stays true to the original plot while introducing a fresh cast of talented actors ready to bring “Mean Girls” to a younger audience and fans of the Broadway musical. It opened to a strong box office debut, with $28 million in the first weekend. It is projected to earn $34.5 million worldwide, despite a budget of $36 million.
Before starring in “Mean Girls,” Angourie Rice, who plays Cady, appeared in movies alongside Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe. She also had roles in Marvel’s “Spider-man” series and HBO’s critically acclaimed “Mare of Easttown.” Reneé Rapp, who portrays Regina, previously played the same character in the Broadway musical. She has also released her debut album and has upcoming performances at Coachella.
Auli’i Cravalho, known for her role as Janis, gained recognition as the voice of Moana in Disney’s film of the same name. She has also showcased her singing talents in other animated features and starred in various TV series. Jaquel Spivey, who plays Damian, was part of the award-winning Broadway musical “A Strange Loop” and received a Drama Desk Award for his outstanding acting.
Avantika takes on the role of Karen, the air-headed Plastic. She has acted in Indian films and starred in the Disney Channel original movie “Spin.” Avantika also appears alongside Angourie Rice in the film “Senior Year” and is producing and starring in a popular YA series. Bebe Wood, who portrays Gretchen, has appeared in several TV shows, including “30 Rock” and “Love, Victor.” Christopher Briney, playing Aaron Samuels, has gained popularity for his role in the Prime Video series “The Summer I Turned Pretty.”
The new “Mean Girls” adaptation brings back the beloved characters while introducing fresh talent to captivate a new generation of viewers. It is currently playing in theaters, ready to entertain audiences with its timeless high school drama.