Reflecting on the most sought-after film of all time – GoldDerby

Paramount Pictures

Who would have thought that a film about a “Plastics” trio whose biggest concern is what shade of pink they would wear on Wednesday, and whose clique is turned upside down by a homeschooler, would become a phenomenon that us too still busy two decades later? On April 30, 2004, “Mean Girls” was released in theaters and reached number one at the box office; Even critics praised the clever and funny script as well as the groundbreaking performances of its stars. That's unbelievable Tina FeyThe Mean Girls of Mean Girls are all grown up, and it's even harder to imagine anyone else in these iconic roles – but like most films, the casting almost went in a completely different direction. Read on to learn more about Mean Girls' 20th anniversary.

While working as a writer for Saturday Night Live, Fey read Queen Bees and Wannabes Rosalind Wiseman, and was inspired to write a screenplay based on her own experiences at Upper Darby High School in Pennsylvania. Although Fey had been writing for “SNL” for several years, winning awards such as an Emmy and a Writers Guild of America Award, “Mean Girls” was her first attempt at writing for a film. And, boy, did she write a script that's just so…great. She received another WGA nomination, this time for Best Adapted Screenplay, and created one of the most cited films of the last 20 years. But as with any film, a clever script doesn't always lead to a successful film. Casting plays an important role – and it's not just about finding the right actors, but also about ensuring that the right actor is cast for the right role.

Lindsay Lohan had become famous in the three successful Disney films “The Parent Trap” (1998), “Freaky Friday” (2003) and “Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen” (2004) and was originally cast for the role of “The Parent Trap” (1998), “Freaky Friday” (2003) and “Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen” (2004) were selected. sneaky, bitch-faced whore” Regina George. In the meantime, Rachel McAdams auditioned for the role of the naive and friendly Cady Heron, but was ultimately deemed “too old” for the character. At 24, McAdams was actually the oldest of the Plastics in real life, but she still made such a positive impression on the casting team that they were reluctant to lose her.

SEE Watch our lively chats with dozens of 2024 Emmy contenders

Ultimately, it was decided that Lohan would be better in the role of Cady, considering that her fan base might not appreciate her “bad girl” role. It was a strategy that worked; Mean Girls became one of Lohan's most iconic roles, winning three Teen Choice Awards and two MTV Movie Awards for the performance. After her role was given to Cady, the casting team had to search for her “queen bee.”

Amanda Seyfried had worked as a model and appeared in several soap operas. In the fall of 2003, she was about to start college when she decided to audition for the role of Regina. director Mark Waters I loved her interpretation of the character. However, when Lohan's role switched to Cady, she was put to the test with McAdams. The dynamic between the slightly older and theater-trained McAdams and the younger and newly blossoming Lohan was electric, and McAdams won the role of Regina. Although she missed out on the role of Regina, Seyfried still didn't make it to college as planned.

Several actresses including Haylie Duff And Leighton MeesterShe had auditioned for the role of the sweet but clever Karen Smith, who has the amazing ability to predict rain with her breasts. Blake Lively was the first choice for the character, but Seyfried's name kept coming up in casting decisions, and when she was asked to read for Karen, she proved smart enough to play the dumb blonde and her acting career skyrocketed Height.

The range is rounded off by plastics Lacey Chabert, who became known for more dramatic roles, most notably as one of the leads in the television show “Party of Five.” Actresses incl Ashley Tisdale And Vanessa Hudgens had auditioned to star as Regina's deputy, Gretchen Wieners. However, Chabert was a revelation with her performance and comedic timing and is equally attractive as the rich and popular but completely clueless heiress to the Toaster Strudel dynasty.

SEE Oscar Best Picture Gallery: History of all Oscar-winning films

While McAdams was considered “too old” to play Cady, Lizzy Caplan was considered “too pretty” for the role of the goth outsider Janis Ian. America Ferrera And Cat Dennings both were taken into account. It was a difficult role because on the surface she is a villain plotting against Regina; In reality, she is only acting out of past hurts. Caplan got the balance right and won the role. While he struggled during his audition, Daniel Franzese eventually won the role of Janis' openly gay pal Damian, who often manages to steal scenes from his diva co-stars.

Caplan's character was named after the singer Janis Ian, who appeared as a musical guest on the first “SNL” episode and sang one of her signature songs, “At Seventeen,” which plays in the background at Regina's house while the girls argue. The Ian reference wasn't the only “SNL” element Fey brought to the film. She created the role of Principal Duvall for another “SNL” alum Tim Meadows. For Regina's cool, “not like a normal mom” mom, Fey's longtime friend and “SNL” cohort Amy Poehler was poured.

From “Burn Books” to Kalteen sneak attacks on nutrition bars, to ostracizing someone because of sweatpants to playing with a boy's affections, it's hard to figure out who the villain is in “Mean Girls” – or even if there is one at all gives. The beauty of the final cast is that each actress brings the right balance of spite, insecurity and development to each character, giving both teenagers and adults plenty of laughs and a feel-good ending.

The film's success brought the cast a new level of notoriety: Lohan, McAdams, Chabert and Seyfried cemented their popularity with a win at the MTV Movie Awards for Best On-Screen Team. “Mean Girls” was turned into a Tony-nominated musical, with Fey winning a 2018 Drama Desk Award and an Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Book of a Musical; The film adaptation spent three weeks at the top of the box office in January this year. But don't be jealous of their successes – they're just so popular!

PREDICTIONS the 2024 Emmy nominees until July 17th

Make your Gold Derby predictions now. Download our free and easy app for Apple/iPhone devices or Android (Google Play) to compete against legions of other fans and our experts and editors for the best prediction accuracy scores. Check out our latest prediction champs. Can you top our respected leaderboards next? Always remember to keep your predictions up to date as they impact our latest racetrack odds that terrify Hollywood bosses and stars. Don't miss out on the fun. Speak up and share your disgruntled opinions in our famous forums, where 5,000 show industry executives gather every day to track the latest accolades. Everyone wants to know: What do you think? Who do you predict and why?

LOG IN for Gold Derby's free newsletter with the latest predictions