MANILA, Philippines—Following the 2004 classic Mean Girls, the narrative took center stage as a stage musical. Tina Fey, the creative force behind the original, subsequently embarked on a journey to bring the iconic high school comedy into the realm of social media with an exhilarating musical film adaptation that seamlessly blends the essence of the original film and its stage counterpart.
“With all this incredible music, we still maintain that close-up connection with our characters, introducing new jokes and unexpected moments. It’s a delightful surprise for those who cherish the original and a fresh joy for a brand-new audience,” shares Fey. Lorne Michaels, the producer behind the 2004 film and the stage musical, echoes this sentiment and joins forces with Fey once again for the musical film version. Michaels, initially wary of revisiting Mean Girls, recognized the potential impact of a different rendition of the story.
Michaels emphasizes the timeless appeal of Mean Girls, attributing its enduring popularity to its exploration of the universal vulnerability of high school life. “It’s about high school,” he reflects. “It’s the time of life when you’re the most vulnerable, and it’s probably the most common teenage experience. Those four years and everything that goes along with them are the thing that we all have in common.”
Director Samantha Jayne underscores the consistent impact of Mean Girls’ central theme, whether in the original from two decades ago or the fresh iteration. “Women need to support women instead of tearing each other down,” she asserts. “That message was great in 2004. And it will be great a hundred years from now. If we have created a version that connects that message to today’s audience and allows them to have fun, we’re doing what we set out to do.”
Fey, still marveling at the story’s enduring legacy and its imprint on pop culture, hopes that beneath the laughter and musical numbers, audiences will grasp the profound message. “I want people to enjoy it,” Fey concludes. “I know people will love this cast. I hope they’ll love the songs and all the moments that make them say, oh, I didn’t expect that!”