Legacy sequels and comedy; two examples of filmmaking that are hard to get right. You have studios looking to exploit classic IP –– in this case, 2003’s lightweight but fun Lindsay Lohan/Jamie Lee Curtis body swap comedy ‘Freaky Friday’ (itself a remake, let’s not forget) –– but in the transition to a more up-to-date story with the core cast intact, something can often be lost.
It’s a relief to report, then, that in this case, that ‘Freakier Friday’, which returns Curtis and Lohan (plus a few other welcome characters from the first film), surrounds them with entertaining newer talent and manages to capture the spirit without feeling like a rip-off.
Jordan Weiss has the screenplay credit here, with Elyse Hollander scoring a “story by” listing, evidence of the film going through a few script drafts on its journey to the screen.
But despite the development process, what has emerged still feels fresh and funny, warm and emotional, riffing on the basic body swap concept, and borrowing some elements (such as an impending wedding and tension between teens and mothers –– or grandmother).
Like the old wedding tradition states, something old, something new, something borrowed and while “something blue” only really counts for the denim outfit Curtis’ character dons while occupied by someone else, it all serves to move the story forward while keeping the laughs coming.
The connection between Lohan and Curtis remains strong, and the script finds ways to update their relationship while keeping them as familiar characters. The new additions, meanwhile, including Anna Coleman’s (Lohan) actual child (Butters) and future step-daughter (Hammons), are worthwhile.
Director Nisha Ganatra, meanwhile, keeps it all ticking along well, making good use of Los Angeles locations to have the film feel like it truly takes place in the universe of the 2003 original.
She also represents a welcome move towards diversity, something that occurs here both in front of and behind the camera.
Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan both seemed eager to return to their roles, and from the looks of the movie itself (and the blooper reel at the end), they clearly had a lot of fun catching up with the characters of Tess and Anna Coleman.
With the movie quickly and smoothly briefing us on how their relationship has evolved now Anna is a mother of her own (and has found love with Manny Jacinto’s Eric), it soon gets down to taking us through a familiar story that goes in interesting new directions.
The two actors are more than ready to throw themselves into the physical comedy and also hit the emotional beats when needed.
Julia Butters and Sophia Hammons carry the other end of the heavy lifting as the warring future siblings who are both unhappy with Anna and Eric’s marriage plans (and a potential move to London). The two actors really make the characters’ issues believable, and are just as adept when it comes to the funny moments.
Jacinto meanwhile, is a funny performer who is here saddled a little with too straightforward a role (and a British accent that doesn’t really suit him). Yet he’s still adept at hunky love interest and confused suitor.
‘Freakier Friday’ also brings back some other legacy characters –– Chad Michael Murray as Jake, Anna’s old flame, gets the meatiest role, and still carries his other torch, for Tess. And it’s always good to see perennial character actor Stephen Tobolowsky show up, here reprising frustrated teacher Mr. Bates from the original.
In new supporting roles, the likes of X Mayo (as the principal of Harper and Lily’s school) and especially Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (star of Netflix comedy ‘Never Have I Ever’, who here plays an overly emotional pop star) really make an impact.
‘Freakier Friday’ is a sequel that doesn’t embarrass the original, has callbacks that work as more than simply fan service and should bring a smile to different generations.
It’s also that welcome comedy that is actually funny and makes good use of its cast.
rBtDmSMFyDDrNjeX5V55g5
What’s the story of ‘Freakier Friday’?
The story picks up years after Tess (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Anna (Lindsay Lohan) endured an identity crisis. Anna now has a daughter of her own and a soon-to-be stepdaughter.
As they navigate the myriad challenges that come when two families merge, Tess and Anna discover that lightning might indeed strike twice.
Disney presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas. Photo: Disney.
Preview:
Disney brought several movies to its CinemaCon 2025 presentation.
The likes of ‘Tron: Ares,’ ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ and more were showcased.
‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ also showed footage, alongside Pixar’s Elio, Freakier Friday and the new, live-action/CG ‘Lilo & Stitch
While it is still looking to rebuild its fortunes, Disney can at least look back on 2024 as one with several big hits, especially ‘Inside Out 2’ and ‘Deadpool & Wolverine.’
But it will have to prove that this year’s slate can match past successes. Luckily, the Mouse House has more strings to its bow than even the likes of Universal or Warner Bros., and heavy hitters including Pixar, Marvel and James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’ series primed and ready with new entries, plus the return of ‘Tron’ to the grid… er, cinemas.
Following the usual stuff about sponsors and theater owners (got to play to the crowd!), the Disney presentation signaled the end of CinemaCon’s studio events and began with the traditional sizzle reel of upcoming movies, framed in amusing fashion by having ‘Lilo & Stitch’s titular blue troublemaker wander through the rest of the slate.
Getting the presentation off to its formal stage start was Alan Bergman, co-chairman of Disney Entertainment.
He was joined by Andrew Cripps, head of theatrical distribution at the studio to unveil the typically packed schedule of movies the studio will have across the rest of the year, and to extol the fact that Disney movies are Disney movies are typically in theaters an average of three weeks longer than any other studio.
2025’s live-action ‘Lilo & Stitch’. Photo: Walt Disney Pictures.
The latest animated-to-live-action conversion project faces additional pressure following ‘Snow White’s poor showing at the box office this past month. With Disney bosses pushing pause on a planned ‘Tangled’ live-action movie, ‘Lilo’ will need to perform in order to keep that particular strand of the company’s strategy alive beyond ‘Moana,’ due next year.
Some fresh, sneak peek footage from the new movie was screened for the crowd, featuring Stitch on a trip with Lilo and family; they go to a restaurant where the little blue alien causes the requisite chaos even as Lilo tries to teach him to behave. Some of what was shown has already popped up in the trailer, including Stitch squirting her with a soda gun.
(L to R) Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis at the Disney presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas. Photo: Disney.
Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan were ushered on stage to promote this sequel to the 2003 original, which moves the story forward and features even more body-switching chaos than last time as Curtis’ Tess and Lindsay’s Anna Coleman switch places with their teenage daughter/granddaughter.
Curtis and Lohan cued up a look at some brand new footage from the movie, which according to the duo has been playing well with test audiences.
Curtis says that the film was…
“Made to be seen on a big screen.”
The scene played showed Tess and Anna trying to win back Anna’s boyfriend –– but in different bodies.
‘Freakier Friday’ brings body swap chaos to theaters on August 8th.
(L to R) Jared Leto and Jeff Bridges at the Disney presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas. Photo: Disney.
The studio went all out with a light show to promote the third ‘Tron’ movie, and also brought Jeff Bridges and new franchise face Jared Leto to the stage.
Bridges said,
“To be back on the grid was incredible, and working with Jared… It was a great time.”
For his part, Leto said he was obsessed and this was everything he wanted from a movie. It took him to a world he had never seen before.
Leto described his character, Ares:
“An advanced program that crosses over to real world to fulfill his directive.”
After confirmation of Nine Inch Nails doing the music for the new movie, we got a look at some new footage.
What was screened was a look at Ares riding his bike in the real world, with Bridges’ Kevin Flynn narrating. We also see him ask Ares, “Are you ready? Because there is no coming back…”
‘Tron: Ares’ departs the grid for our world on October 10th.
With ‘The Amateur’ due on screens next week, its chunk of the presentation was minimal, limited to a full version of the scene in the pool we glimpse in the trailer, but show full-length here. It was followed by the trailer.
‘The Amateur,’ as mentioned, will find a way into theaters on April 11th.
Elle Fanning at the Disney presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas.Photo: Disney.
The new ‘Predator’ movie from ‘Prey’s Dan Trachtenberg immediately looked interesting, since the Predator creature is more of a protagonist in this one, and it takes place on a new planet where he’s been exiled and must fight his way back.
Star (no, not as the Predator!) Elle Fanning arrived on stage to confirm that this movie breaks new ground in the ‘Predator’ universe. She also said something unprecedented happens. Her character is not being chased, she teams up with Predator and you see him in new light.
She cued up the first trailer for the new movie, which sees the Predator battling a giant, nearly invincible beast with Fanning’s help.
‘Predator: Badlands’ stalks into cinemas on November 7th.
Strong, for the record, plays Jon Landau, Springsteen’s manager and producer. He said he sees the role as Lewis to Springsteen’s Clark.
White, meanwhile, explains that the movie charts Springsteen’s teenage years to around 1982.
Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen in ‘Deliver Me From Nowhere.’ Photo: 20th Century Studios.
We got a first look at the trailer for the new movie, which is directed by Scott Cooper. The footage wraps up showing Springsteen in concert performing ‘Born to Run.’
‘Deliver Me from Nowhere’ has yet to announce when it’ll be delivered to theaters.
(L to R) Emma Mackey and Jamie Lee Curtis at the Disney presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas. Photo: Disney.
James L. Brooks’ new comedy drama stars Emma Mackey as an idealistic young politician who juggles familial issues and a challenging work life while preparing to take over the job of her mentor, the state’s longtime incumbent governor (Albert Brooks).
She co-stars with Jamie Lee Curtis, and the latter returned to the stage alongside Mackey for the presentation.
Brooks, meanwhile, received the Cinema Vérité Award on stage and called for more movies to have a 35-day window in theaters.
Director James L. Brooks receives the Cinema Vérité Award at the Disney presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas. Photo: Disney.
He also had a great quote about previewing movies with audiences:
“A woman came up to me and said the loveliest words: ‘they’re crying in the ladies toilet.’ Compare that to data.”
After Brooks’ emotional speech, we got a first look at the movie itself. The scene that played took place in a bar, where Curtis’ character takes Ella to meet her father, Woody Harrelson. They haven’t spoken in years after he dated her friend.
That was followed the trailer.
‘Ella McCay’ will be in cinemas on September 19th.
ZdI8jUr4o56vWbUrbCbB5
From there, it was time to look at team Searchlight’s output, following a victory lap for the awards success of ‘A Real Pain’ and ‘A Complete Unknown.’ The studio arm’s new offering is…
Unlike the 1989 version, this Jay Roach-directed sees Cumberbatch and Colman as a successful chef and her businessman husband whose lives start to fall apart when he’s fired.
Things go from bad to worse, and as we saw in the trailer that played, it gets to the point where she has him at gunpoint.
‘The Roses’ fights for its place in theaters on August 29th.
Talking of guns, we moved on to one of the studio’s biggest… Marvel!
First up was the next movie from the prolific superhero franchise.
(L To R) David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus at the Disney presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas. Photo: Disney.
The ‘Thunderbolts*’ portion of the show kicked off with a funny bit about the cast being MIA –– Wyatt Russell appeared to have lost a lot of cash in the casino with co-star Julia Louis-Dreyfus hoping the movie makes money so they can pay his debts!
The scene featured the Thunderbolts driving through New York as Harbour’s Red Guardian tries to bond with Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan). The team has to fight their way through bad guys to Avengers tower.
(L To R) Hannah John-Kamen, Sebastian Stan, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, and Wyatt Russell in ‘Thunderbolts*’. Photo: Marvel Studios.
We got an extended look at the Avengers Tower scene where Louis-Dreyfus gathers the gang –– after having sent them to kill each other and being frustrated that they teamed up.
There was also a very brief look at the introduction of Sentry (Lewis Pullman). And following that? A sizzle reel of scenes from the movie, which appears to be full of chaotic fun.
‘Thunderbolts*’ heads to cinemas on May 2nd. Less than a month for this one, folks!
ySD9fRBhzaiO2TcznWDp2
That was followed by Marvel boss Kevin Feige, currently in the UK on the set of ‘Avengers: Doomsday,’ (which is “days away from the start of production”) confirming the appearance of the original X-Men team in the new movie.
We also got our first look at Julia Garner as the Silver Surfer, who cautions that planet Earth is “marked for death.” Kirby’s Sue Storm says they’ll “fight the threat as a family”.
‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ flies into theaters on July 25th.
z9uHs9M5vfCiKZCJCNg4I6
To switch tracks (but still be galactic rather than Galactus), it was the turn of the animation arm(s).
Zoe Saldaña at the Disney presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas. Photo: Disney.
Pixar’s latest finds a young lad dreaming of being abducted by aliens.
Zoe Saldaña, who plays the title character’s Aunt Olga, arrived on stage to talk about the new ‘toon.
A scene from the movie was shown in 3D, showing Elio brought on board an alien spaceship that is more like a living planet via a tractor beam, where he meets the vessel’s AI. He’s been recruited to join the universe’s smartest creatures to work together as a collective… But have they made a mistake? Elio meets and bonds with a young alien creature.
‘Elio’ heads into space (and theaters) on June 20th.
Ke Huy Quan introduces ‘Zootopia 2’ at the Disney presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas. Photo: Disney.
Thanksgiving sees the return of Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), the mismatched buddy duo of rabbit police officer and crafty fox. This time around, they’re on an undercover mission to stop a murderous reptile (Ke Huy Quan’s Gary).
In a video introduction, we got Bateman changing the show’s title to “ZinemaCon” and there are animal jokes about theaters –– AMZ, Pandango, Fur D X, followed by giving other Disney movies critter-like makeovers (‘Thundercolts,’ ‘Sealio,’ ‘The Fantastic Fur.’)
‘Zootopia 2’. Photo: Disney.
Quan arrived on stage to discuss the sequel and his role as Gary the snake. And that Judy and Nick go to a therapy animal (played by ‘Abbot Elementary’s Quinta Brunson) to sort their strained friendship –– which we saw in a scene from the movie. That was followed by a scene of Nick and Judy at Marsh resort trying to track down Gary.
‘Zootopia 2’ goes wild in theaters on November 26th.
Zoe Saldaña at the Disney presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas. Photo: Disney.
James Cameron appeared via video from New Zealand, where he’s still at work on the latest ‘Avatar’ outing. He was sorry he isn’t there in person, but he did tell the crowd he’d sent some footage.
He promised “increased emotional heart and soul,” and that the Sully family will be put through the wringer (again) as they face the Ash People. We’ll also meet the Wind Traders.
Saldaña (who has been part of the franchise since the 2009 original) returned to the stage to introduce the footage.
Zoe Saldaña at the Disney presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas. Photo: Disney.
We saw Jake and wife Neytiri (Saldaña) flying a dragon creature to Wind Traders’ ship where Miles “Spider” Socorro (Jack Champion), the son of Miles Quaritch, lives now.
That preceded a reel of other scenes, including Jake telling Neytiri they can’t live in hate, humans attacked the Na’vi, a shot of the whale-like creatures we met in ‘The Way of Water,’ the return of Stephen Lang’s Quaritch and Varang, the Na’vi leader of the volcano-dwelling Ash People threatening Kiri (Sigourney Weaver), the daughter of Dr. Grace Augustine’s Na’vi avatar who was adopted by the Sully family.
‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ welcomes us back to Pandora on December 19th.
FWuSGLyAAvtzTcYFpQsOf6
And that’s all, folks!
(L To R) Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Wyatt Russell, and Hannah John-Kamen at the Disney presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas. Photo: Disney.
Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan are filming the ‘Freaky Friday’ sequel.
Mark Harmon and Chad Michael Murray are back for the new movie.
The story takes place years after the 2003 original.
After years of talk about the possibility, we learned in April that Disney was officially making a sequel to 2003’s body swap comedy ‘Freaky Friday’, which starred Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan as a mother and daughter who are dealing with drama in their lives and magically end up in each other’s bodies, learning to appreciate the other’s point of view and struggles along the way.
Things have moved on apace with the studio publishing the first photograph of Curtis and Lohan behind the scenes as production began on the sequel, which will see a number of actors returning alongside them from the original and a new crop of young performers joining the cast.
rBtDmSMFyDDrNjeX5V55g5
What is the story of ‘Freaky Friday’ so far?
(L to R) Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan in ‘Freaky Friday’. Photo: Buena Vista Pictures.
The ‘Freaky’ phenomenon all started with a book. In this case, it’s the 1972 tome by Mary Rogers, which sees a mother and her daughter swapping bodies.
It was first adapted into a movie that hit theaters in 1976, starring Barbara Harris as the mother and Jodie Foster as the daughter.
The 2003 version, directed by Mark Waters, had Curtis and Lohan as the latest iteration, playing Tess and Anna Coleman. Like its predecessor, it tried to bring the core concept of living life in another person’s shoes into modern settings.
What’s the plot of the ‘Freaky Friday’ sequel?
(L to R) Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan. Photo: Jamie Lee Curtis’ Instagram account.
Jordan Weiss wrote the script, which offers a multigenerational twist on the tale.
The new movie picks up years after Tess (Curtis) and Anna (Lohan) endured an identity crisis. Anna now has a daughter of her own and a soon-to-be stepdaughter. As they navigate the myriad challenges that come when two families merge, Tess and Anna discover that lightning might indeed strike twice.
Meet the new Plastics in the latest adaptation of the 2004 cult classic ‘Mean Girls.’ The updated version incorporates 13 songs from the Broadway show, a brand new cast, and the return of some fan favorites.
Based on Tina Fey’s adaptation screenplay of ‘Queen Bees and Wannabees,’ the 2004 film was later adapted for Broadway in 2018, earning 12 Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Choreography, and more.
Originally slated for a streaming release on Paramount+, the studio decided on a theatrical release for the film following positive test screenings. ‘Mean Girls’ held its premiere in New York City on January 8, 2024.
‘Mean Girls’ has a runtime of 1 hour and 53 minutes. Didn’t get to experience the musical movie in theaters? Don’t worry. As of February 20, 2024, the movie was available to rent for $19.99 or purchase for $26.99 on VOD platforms such as Apple TV, Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube, and Vudu. Currently, various streaming platforms have the movie on sale for $5.99 to rent and $12.99, so if you’ve been wanting to see the movie, take advantage of this deal before it’s gone.
While ‘Mean Girls’ features a (mostly) brand new cast, there are a few return fan favorites and cameos. Tina Fey and Tim Meadows return to reprise their roles as Ms. Norbury and Mr. Duvall, respectively. Ashley Park (‘Joy Ride’) cameos as French teacher Madame Park in the film. Park originated the role of Gretchen Wieners on Broadway and earned a Tony nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.
It is also worth mentioning that Reneé Rapp also played the role of Regina George on Broadway. In fact, the role marks the actress’ Broadway debut, who played Regina from 2019 to 2020 before it was shut down due to the pandemic.
Lindsay Lohan, the star of the original ‘Mean Girls’, also appears in the film as the Mathletes Moderator.
‘Mean Girls’ will be released on DVD, Blu-Ray, and 4K UHD on April 30th. A two-movie collection set will be available, with both the 2024 version and the original 2004 version. April 30th also marks the first time the original film will be released in 4K.
Watch the official trailers for ‘Mean Girls’ below:
Is1Z0S5h
The official synopsis for ‘Mean Girls’ is below:
From the comedic mind of Tina Fey comes a new twist on the modern classic, MEAN GIRLS. New student Cady Heron (Angourie Rice) is welcomed into the top of the social food chain by the elite group of popular girls called “The Plastics,” ruled by the conniving queen bee Regina George (Reneé Rapp) and her minions Gretchen (Bebe Wood) and Karen (Avantika). However, when Cady makes the major misstep of falling for Regina’s ex-boyfriend Aaron Samuels (Christopher Briney), she finds herself prey in Regina’s crosshairs. As Cady sets to take down the group’s apex predator with the help of her outcast friends Janis (Auli’i Cravalho) and Damian (Jaquel Spivey), she must learn how to stay true to herself while navigating the most cutthroat jungle of all: high school.
(L to R) Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan in ‘Freaky Friday’. Photo: Buena Vista Pictures.
Preview:
Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan are returning for the ‘Freaky Friday’ sequel.
Nisha Ganatra will direct the movie.
Disney is producing this new follow-up.
It has been talked about, rumored and seemingly in development for years, but there is finally actual, concrete news to report about a sequel to ‘Freaky Friday’.
(L to R) Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis in ‘Freaky Friday’. Photo: Buena Vista Pictures.
If you’re not really aware of the ‘Freaky’ phenomenon, it all started with a book. In this case, it’s the 1972 tome by Mary Rogers, which sees a mother and her daughter swapping bodies.
It was first adapted into a movie that hit theaters in 1976, starring Barbara Harris as the mother and Jodie Foster as the daughter.
The 2003 version, directed by Mark Waters, had Curtis and Lohan as the latest iteration, playing Tess and Anna Coleman. Like its predecessor, it tried to bring the core concept of living life in another person’s shoes into modern settings.
14891
What’s the Plot of the ‘Freaky Friday’ Sequel?
(L to R) Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan in ‘Freaky Friday’. Photo: Buena Vista Pictures.
The Hollywood Reporter’s story has few details on what the new film will be about. Jordan Weiss, who created the series ‘Dollface’ has written the script, which will see the actors playing an updated age (i.e. Lohan is obviously no longer a teenager) and there is a multigenerational aspect to the narrative.
Nisha Ganatra will direct the movie. She’s a veteran of shows including ‘And Just Like That’ and ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ and has made films including ‘Late Night’ and ‘The High Note’.
rBtDmSMFyDDrNjeX5V55g5
‘Freaky Friday’: The Stars Talk
(L to R) Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan. Photo: Jamie Lee Curtis’ Instagram account.
While both Curtis and Lohan have addressed the issue of teaming back up, they expressed their hopes for an on-screen reunion:
“As I went around the world with ‘Halloween Ends’, people wanted to know if there was going to be another ‘Freaky Friday’. Something really touched a chord. When I came back, I called my friends at Disney and said, ‘It feels like there’s a movie to be made.’”
And this was Lohan’s statement at the time:
“We’re leaving it in the hands that be. We would only make something that people would absolutely adore.”
It’s not like Lohan hasn’t been training for this –– her most recent movie, the Netflix rom-com ‘Irish Wish’ features a ‘Freaky Friday’-style story about a woman who swaps places with her friend, who is getting married.
When will the ‘Freaky Friday’ sequel arrive in theaters?
The movie has yet to confirm a release date, but if it shoots this year, it could be in theaters in 2025, or it might be a Disney+ release.
Jamie Lee Curtis poses backstage with the Oscar® for Actress in a Supporting Role during the live ABC telecast of the 95th Oscars® at Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 12, 2023.
Opening in theaters on January 12th, ‘Mean Girls’ is just the latest example of a movie that represents the latest evolution for a story that started as a novel, became a movie, transitioned to the Broadway stage for a musical and is now back on screens as a musical movie.
But as with every movie of this type –– see also the recent ‘The Color Purple’ –– the latest take has to make a convincing argument for it to exist in the first place. Why should audiences shell out more money to see a story they’ve previously experienced (and, in the case of ‘Mean Girls’ loved to endlessly quotable and meme-able levels) with the addition of different actors and a few songs?
‘Mean Girls’ exists in the shadow of the original, and it’s no easy job to follow what has long become known as a classic in the genre. Given the pressure to be a version of both the first film and the musical, you can understand why the new movie sometimes crumbles under that workload.
But fans will be relieved to know that if it doesn’t quite make the grade in every way, it at least serves as a successful comedy musical in its own right.
The new movie, on the writing front at least, represents the return of very experienced hands with Tina Fey –– who adapted Rosalind Wiseman’s 2002 book ‘Queen Bees and Wannabes’, which documented female social cliques in high schools into 2004’s ‘Mean Girls’. It’s story of a young woman swapping far-flung homeschooling with her scientist parents for the wilds of an Illinois high school and ends up falling in with the most popular/vindictive girls at campus.
Fey’s original script is beloved, a classic high school comedy with more than one line that has entered the pop cultural consciousness. She was also behind the book for the stage musical version, while her husband and regular creative collaborator Jeff Richmond created the lyrics.
They’re both back for the new movie, which means that the tone and dialogue is certainly up to scratch. The one issue might be that the musical numbers, on purely a written front, can be hit and miss. And if you know the movie inside and out, that’s the only thing that will feel new besides one or two moments and ideas (Cady, for example, only has one parent in this version, played by Jenna Fischer).
Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr. make their shared directorial debut with the movie, taking over for the original film’s Mark Walters. They do an adequate job of staging the musical numbers and having the songs replace elements such as Cady’s voice-over.
One or two of the songs here –– ‘Revenge Party’, ‘Stupid with Love’ –– work really well, while the others are fine but nothing to get people dancing in the aisles.
With Lindsay Lohan playing the original Cady, Angourie Rice has famous shoes to fill. And she does so well, giving this new version of a life of her own, while not going too far away from what fans expect from the character.
But that’s nothing compared to Reneé Rapp, who has to embody queen bee Regina George, as brought to life by Rachel McAdams in the original. Rapp is a fantastic Regina, having the benefit of playing the role on stage for several months. Which means she has a fully-formed take on the preening, scheming character. And when Regina suffers her downfall, she’s just as able to land those comedy turns.
Less effective are Bebe Wood, and Avantika Vandanapu as Gretchen and Karen, Regina’s sidekicks, though it’s no fault of the actors –– they’re mostly saddled with characters who feel like barely-tweaked versions of the original, and you have to wonder whether Fey and co. could have done more to make them stand out.
But if there’s one true MVP here, it’s Auliʻi Cravalho as the character of Janis, one of the “weird” kids that Cady initially befriends and who helps her get revenge on the “Plastics” led by Regina. Cravalho, best known previously as the voice of Moana in Disney’s animated movie, is superb here, breathing truly fresh life into the character and proving that she’s more than just a great voice performer.
‘Mean Girls’ certainly offers a solid level of entertainment, though that’s partly because the original is such a success. Fans of the film will find something new to enjoy, but for the most part, the pleasures come from revisiting what worked before, either on screen or stage.
And while the new movie isn’t a patch on the original, it does at least prove to be worthwhile.
‘Mean Girls receives 6.5 out of 10 stars.
BH4lmtTIF8CiAvF78tZCl7
What’s the story of ‘Mean Girls?
Adapting the plot of the 2004 movie into musical form, ‘Mean Girls’ narrative feels familiar.
New student Cady Heron (Angourie Rice) gets welcomed into the top of the social food chain by an elite group of popular girls called the Plastics, ruled by the conniving queen bee Regina George (Reneé Rapp). However, when Cady makes the major misstep of falling for Regina’s ex-boyfriend, she soon finds herself caught in their crosshairs.
For a movie all about the awful ordeal that is high school, “Mean Girls” is still a surprisingly fun way to spend a couple hours. As this beloved comedy celebrates its 15th anniversary, here are some fun facts you might not know about the making of “Mean Girls” and the sequels we may or may not ever see.
1. Writer Tina Fey based the screenplay on her personal experiences in high school and on Rosalind Wiseman’s 2002 self-help book “Queen Bees and Wannabes.”
2.Lindsay Lohan originally read for the part of Regina George, but eagerly agreed to play Cady Horn instead after fearing playing the villain might harm her reputation.
Paramount Pictures
3. Meanwhile, Amanda Seyfried, (who made her film debut in “Mean Girls”) was originally cast as Cady, but producer Lorne Michaels felt she fit the role of Karen better.
4. Despite playing the mother to Rachel McAdams‘ character Regina, Amy Poehler is only seven years older than McAdams.
5. The reason Tim Meadows‘ Mr. Duvall is shown to have carpal tunnel syndrome is because Meadows was recovering from a broken hand during filming.
6.Lizzy Caplan‘s character is named Janis Ian in tribute to the musician of the same name, who also happened to be the very first musical guest on “Saturday Night Live.”
7. While Regina, Karen and Gretchen are known by all their classmates as “The Plastics,” they never actually refer to themselves by that name in the movie.
Paramount Pictures
8. The 2009 Mariah Carey song “Obsessed” was inspired by Regina’s line, “Why are you so obsessed with me?”
9. Several sexually charged lines in the movie had to be altered in order to maintain a PG-13 rating. For example, when questioned about her virginity, Cady was originally asked “Is your cherry popped?” instead of “Is your muffin buttered?”.
Paramount Pictures
10. There have been multiple “Mean Girls” video games, including a PC game released in 2009 and an iOS game released in 2015.
11. October 3 has been labeled “National Mean Girls Day” by fans.
12. ABC Family debuted a made-for-TV sequel called “Mean Girls 2” in 2011. Despite the title, the movie is more remake than sequel, and Mr. Duvall is the only character to return.
Freeform
13. Lohan has campaigned for a direct sequel and even written a story treatment that includes roles for Jamie Lee Curtis and Jimmy Fallon.
14. WB and New Line were also developing a spinoff called “Mean Moms,” with Jennifer Aniston in talks to star back in 2014. Unfortunately, the project seems to have fallen into development hell.
Banks teased big news for the sequel to the 2000 TV movie on Sunday, and she followed it up with her co-star reveal on Monday. However, the cast mate she named wasn’t one fans necessarily expected. Banks announced Francia Raisa as her co-star, not Lohan.
“Could not find one single woman more perfect to co-star with Eve than the magnificently fierce @franciaraisa,” Banks wrote.
We’re not sure how deliberate Banks was with her words, but if you really read into them, she might have been throwing some shade at Lohan. After all, she didn’t say she couldn’t find “one single woman more perfect” than Raisa. This is pure speculation, of course, but maybe she wasn’t happy with how things went with her former “Life-Size” co-star.
Some fans were pretty upset that Banks didn’t announce Lohan, while others are still hoping she’ll show up in at least a small role. They’re making their opinions known on Twitter.
Lindsay Lohan just jumped head-first into the Harvey Weinstein sex scandal, telling everyone to back off, and saying his wife needs to “take a stand and be there for her husband.”
Why did she feel the need to chime in? Who knows. It’s LiLo. Her hair is full of secrets.
Stories have been pouring out this week about producer Weinstein’s alleged sexual harassment, assault, and rape of Hollywood actresses. He was fired from The Weinstein Company, disavowed by many industry stars, and — as of yesterday — left by his wife, designer Georgina Chapman.
Lindsay Lohan is heartsick about it all. In a now-deleted Instagram story, she defended Weinstein and called on his wife to stand by her husband:
“Hi, this is Lindsay Lohan. I’m in Dubai. I’m home. I feel very bad for Harvey Weinstein right now. I don’t think it’s right what’s going on. I think Georgina needs to take a stand and be there for her husband. And he’s never harmed me or did anything wrong to me – we’ve done several movies together. And so I think everyone needs to stop. I think it’s wrong. So stand up.”
lindsay lohan (and her whack accent) is defending Harvey Weinstein on her insta rn. GOODBYE TO YOU FOREVER. pic.twitter.com/aMzvAOXPYp
That message is no longer on her Insta, but it is all over the Internet, and the Internet has reacted with disgust:
Lindsay Lohan thinks it’s wrong that women have come forward about Harvey Weinstein’s sexual abuse because he’s never done anything to her and he should be left alone… wow.
Yeah, she is taking an eyebrow-raising stand here, and fans are responding with fair points, but piling on doesn’t help. It’s just the mob mentality kicking in and doing more harm than good.
At least Harvey Weinstein can take comfort from having Lohan as his champion. Unless he wishes she stayed quiet.
Disney, Lindsay Lohan wants to be part of your world.
A live-action version of “The Little Mermaid” is in the works, and Lohan is officially interested. Last August, Deadline reported that Lin-Manuel Miranda and Alan Menken would be writing the songs together. As they wrote at the time, “This one is being orchestrated as a mix of pre-existing songs from the 1989 Disney animated classic movie, for which Menken won two Oscars, sharing Best Song with Howard Ashman, and winning Best Score on his own.”
Lindsay Lohan pitched herself for Ariel on Instagram, originally writing this longer caption (referencing Disney’s live action “Beauty and the Beast” director Bill Condon) before editing it to simply read “#thelittlemermaid”:
“I will sing again, as #ariel #thelittlemermaid @disney approve that #billcondon directs it along with my sister @alianamusic singing the theme song for the soundtrack. also @kgrahamsfb plays Ursula. Simply because, she is the best. take one. @disneystudios.”
BREAKING NEWS LINDSAY LOHAN IS GONNA STAR IN THE DISNEY REMAKE OF THE LITTLE MERMAID MY CHILDHOOD FAVS COMING TOGETHER pic.twitter.com/RzFq8ZWxRi
Don’t confuse Disney’s live-action “The Little Mermaid” with Working Title’s “Little Mermaid” project at Universal, with Chloe Grace Moretz said to be in the lead role, and Richard Curtis writing the script.
What do you think of LiLo as the live-action Ariel? She started as a Disney star, from “The Parent Trap,” “Life-Size,” and “Freaky Friday” to “Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen” and “Herbie: Fully Loaded.” “Mean Girls” was actually her first non-Disney film, so going back to Disney would be like coming home.
Disney,