The Evolution of Mean Girls

The Evolution of Mean Girls

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re exploring the evolution of “Mean Girls,” from book, to film, to musical, to movie musical.

Queen Bees and Wannabes

“Mean Girls” is such an iconic film that people are often surprised to learn that it’s based on a book. What’s more, a non-fiction book that only vaguely resembles the film. Author Rosalind Wiseman spent nearly ten years working with thousands of girls, who opened up about their sexuality, cliques, insecurities, and other issues. Wiseman also found that many parents struggled to understand what their daughters were going through. This inspired Wiseman to write a book to help parents and teenage girls navigate through the realities of adolescence. Published in 2002, “Queen Bees and Wannabes” caught the attention of several individuals who expressed interest in the movie rights, including Tina Fey. She brought the project to Lorne Michaels, who convinced Paramount to buy the rights.

Homeschooled

Fey took it upon herself to adapt the book to film. Given its non-fiction nature, though, Fey would have to expand the material drastically. Where parents were the target demographic for Wiseman’s book, Fey’s screenplay was told from a teenager’s perspective. Protagonist Cady would get her name from Cady Garey, Fey’s college roommate. Damian was based on Fey’s high school friend Damian Holbrook. Janis was a compilation of different people, including Fey, although her name derived from singer Janis Ian, who performed on the “SNL” pilot. Ian’s “At Seventeen” was appropriately worked into the film. Fey even borrowed the name Glenn Coco from real life, remembering a friend of her brother. Beyond the characters, the film’s plot and one-liners largely stemmed from Fey.

Reading “Queen Bees and Wannabes,” you’ll find familiar phrases like “Girl World.” Wiseman’s book also explores several concepts in Fey’s script, such as girls dressing sexy on Halloween. Yet, you won’t find any references to cheese fries, burn books, or “Jingle Bell Rock” in the book. Even “fetch,” arguably the film’s most famous line, came from Fey, who discovered the word while talking with neighborhood teens. Wiseman inspired Fey in other ways. While hanging out, Wiseman compared young people to animals at a watering hole. To Wiseman’s surprise, Fey included this in her screenplay. Ms. Norbury, played by Fey, could be seen as a surrogate for Wiseman, who has conducted similar self-esteem workshops for girls. Wiseman doesn’t do trust falls, however.

While Wiseman’s book provided the basis, the film would be vastly different. As such, the movie received a new title: “Homeschooled”... which was later changed to “Mean Girls.” Discussing the film ten years after its release, Wiseman said, “I wouldn’t change anything,” praising Fey as a collaborator. In 2023, though, Wiseman said that she contemplated pursuing legal action against Fey and Paramount. Wiseman received $400,000 for the movie rights along with net profits from the film. However, “Mean Girls” exploded in popularity, having a life well beyond the 2004 picture. In addition to receiving a made-for-television sequel that only Tim Meadows returned for, the film inspired a Broadway musical. According to Wiseman, her name was credited in the Playbill, but “there was no payment.”

Get In, Loser, We’re Going to Broadway

Fey further solidified herself as the face of “Mean Girls” with its 2017 stage musical adaptation, returning to scribe the book. The music would be written by Fey’s husband, Jeff Richmond, while Nell Benjamin of the “Legally Blonde” musical contributed the lyrics. The “Mean Girls” musical follows virtually the same plot as the 2004 film, but with a few updates. The narrator role shifts from Cady to Janis and Damian. Problematic subplots, such as Coach Carr’s relationship with underage girls, are inevitably cut. Most notably, the technology is brought into the social media era, trading in landline phones for smartphones. Honestly, even in 2004, you’d think that the Plastics would be exclusively communicating through cell phones.

Technology aside, little about the 2004 film is dated. With the addition of songs and a longer run time, though, the musical was able to delve deeper into certain characters. Gretchen’s self-esteem is explored through songs like “What’s Wrong With Me?.” Karen is given more wit while still being dim. The musical restores a deleted scene from the film where Cady and Regina reconcile in the bathroom at the Spring Fling. The scene helps to humanize Regina, providing the closure between her and Cady that always felt like it was missing before. Where most musicals based on movies are DOA, “Mean Girls” captured the spirit of its predecessor while elevating the material in some respects, receiving twelve Tony nominations. Would the trek back to film be as successful, though?

Back to School

Coinciding with the original film’s twentieth anniversary, the stage musical got the cinematic treatment in 2024. The filmmakers strived to find a balance between the stage show and the 2004 movie. Trimming down the run time, fourteen songs were removed with “What Ifs” being written as a replacement for “It Roars.” Fey and Meadows reprise their roles, but theatre fans will recognize a few other faces. Ashley Park, who originated the role of Gretchen on Broadway, appears as a French teacher. Reneé Rapp, who took over as Regina on Broadway, once again reigns as the Queen Bee. It’s the newcomers who inject this “Mean Girls” with a fresh voice, however.

Reflecting the changing times, the cast is more diverse with Auliʻi Cravalho of “Moana” as Janis, Tony-winner Jaquel Spivey as Damian, and dancer Avantika Vandanapu as Karen. It goes to show that anyone can be these characters, regardless of race and ethnicity. Of course, Cady remains an American white girl from Africa, this time played by Angourie Rice. Directors Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr. are also able to play with social media in ways that the stage show couldn’t, presenting multiple scenes through an iPhone lens. As for the narrative, those who know this story like the back of their hand won’t find many surprises, but there are some additions.

Ms. Heron is now a single mom, played by Jenna Fischer. We’re just going to assume Cady’s father looked like John Krasinski and that he sacrificed himself to save his daughter from noise-sensitive aliens. Janis is a “loud and proud” lesbian, which adds another layer to the song “I’d Rather Be Me.” Ms. Norbury and Principal Duvall shippers will be delighted to learn that they’re in a committed relationship. The movie musical otherwise doesn’t stray too far from the “Mean Girls” we know and love. At this point, though, why change perfection?

Forever Fetch

When “Mean Girls” came out in 2004, it was a solid financial and critical success, but few were describing it as perfect. Maybe that’s because no film can be considered perfect from the get-go. The best movies aren’t always the ones that top the box office or win big at the Oscars. Endurance is the true mark of art’s worth, and few films from 2004 have dominated pop culture like “Mean Girls.” Even the most quotable movies usually only have a handful of memorable lines. With “Mean Girls,” we could make a Top 20 list of lines we still use in everyday conversations. One line, “October 3rd,” would be dubbed Mean Girls Day with fans naturally wearing pink.

It isn’t just the dialogue that holds up. It’s how the film depicts high school. Technology and certain cliques may change, but the insecurities and social dynamics that Wiseman discussed in her book remain the same. Fey captured those themes with a mix of honesty and humor, speaking to multiple generations over the past two decades. Other films have tried to replicate the success of “Mean Girls,” but they’re all wannabes compared to the Queen Bee. While the material has evolved across film, stage, and film again, “Mean Girls” is truly a testament to how little the teenage experience has changed. Be it 2004 or 2024, there will always be high school royalty, artsy outsiders, and people trying to make fetch happen.

How has “Mean Girls” shaped your adolescence and adulthood? Leave us a grool comment below.