Mean Girls | After Lindsay Lohan, Angourie Rice

One of the reasons why Mean Girls what has stood the test of time so well is its brilliant cast, starting with Lindsay Lohan, who plays North Shore High School newcomer Cady Heron. Australian Angourie Rice, seen in the recent Spider-Man films, takes over 20 years later in a musical version of the film. The Press spoke with her virtually.

Even before getting a role in the new version of Mean Girlsdid the original film have a special meaning for you?

I’ve seen it so many times! It’s one of those films that is really associated with my adolescence and youth. If I wasn’t in the new one, I would watch all the interviews and be at the theater the day it came out. To be part of it is surreal!

Although you do not represent an entire generation, do you believe that Mean Girls is a work dear to many people in their twenties?

Mean Girls has fans of all generations. As many people in their 20s as in their 40s have told me they grew up with the film. Some 14-year-olds I’ve met have told me that it’s their favorite movie to watch when they sleep over at friends’ houses. He has no age, in my opinion.

This new version allows certain elements of the scenario to be updated. Which aspect do you think benefits the most?

Tina Fey, who wrote the original, the Broadway musical and this one, is a great screenwriter because she is constantly adapting and evolving, and her works reflect that. I said that the Mean Girls from 2004 has no age, because it is not stuck in time. For example, Tina Fey knew that the phrase “Fetch” was bound to go out of style, so she made a joke out of it that became one of the most memorable. She made some changes for the musical and for the new film, but nothing that distorts the original.

Did Tina Fey offer you advice during filming?

I loved asking her about her experience making the 2004 film, but the wonderful thing about her is the freedom she gave us. We could ask him all possible questions, question certain things, rework others, without fear of being sent to pasture. This latitude made a big difference.

You have performed in works set in high school. Can filming certain scenes feel like being back at school?

Sometimes, but I’ve noticed that any work environment can remind us of high school, and not necessarily in a bad way. Groups of friends who form and have dinner together or teamwork, for example. High school in Australia is quite different than in the States, so my filming doesn’t really resemble what I experienced. However, Mean Girls reminded me of other American high school films I’ve done.

The film features several impressive song and dance numbers. How were most of them shot?

Some were more ambitious than others. The directors (Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr.) wanted to film a few songs in one long take, such as I’d Rather Be Me. It was really fun, but also very demanding. I think the result was worth the effort, even if you have to be careful to realize that there is no cut.

Another challenge is that of Cady’s metamorphosis. She goes from the new girl who knows nothing about high school to one of the most popular girls in school. What was your approach to making its evolution credible?

I love playing characters who are going through a transformation. My process is always the same. I take notes while reading the script and then ask myself questions. Among other things, I noticed the first lie from Cady, who is initially a very honest person. I wondered why she lied at that time and why to this particular person. Then I would assess how his lies became more and more serious and how they led to his downfall. By doing this work at home, I arrive on set ready to start filming.

Mean Girls is currently in theaters.