Have you ever wondered about the behind-the-scenes secrets of the iconic movie Mean Girls? Well, look no further because the new book 'So Fetch: The Making of Mean Girls (and Why We're Still So Obsessed with It)' by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong is here to satisfy your curiosity. In this unauthorized making-of book, Armstrong brings to light fascinating facts about the beloved comedy and explores why it continues to captivate audiences even after all these years.
'So Fetch' is not just a mere collection of anecdotes but rather a thoughtful exploration of Mean Girls' cultural impact. Delving into the early stages of the project, Armstrong reveals that the film was initially titled 'Homeschooled' before becoming the Mean Girls we all know and love today.
One of the most interesting aspects covered in the book is the casting process. While Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Amanda Seyfried, Lacey Chabert, Lizzy Caplan, and Daniel Franzese ultimately landed the iconic roles of Cady Heron, Regina George, Karen Smith, Gretchen Wieners, Janis Ian, and Damian Leigh, respectively, it's intriguing to discover the alternative actors considered for these parts. Ashley Tisdale, Vanessa Hudgens, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead apparently auditioned for the role of Gretchen, while Kristen Stewart, Mae Whitman, and Michelle Trachtenberg were among those considered for the role of Cady.
As for Karen, other contenders included Haylie Duff, Kate Mara, Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, and even Megan Fox, who had previously worked with Lindsay Lohan in 'Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen.' Additionally, America Ferrera and Kat Dennings were linked to the role of Janis, while Penn Badgley, Jared Padalecki, and Max Minghella vied for the character of heartthrob Aaron Samuels.
The attention to detail in Mean Girls extended to the characters' hairstyles as well. In the book, hairstylist Carol Hartwick reveals that Regina George's signature long, blonde wig cost around $10,000. It was custom made by a wigmaker in Stratford, Ontario, where the movie was primarily filmed. Lacey Chabert, on the other hand, wore a three-quarters wig to achieve Gretchen's voluminous hair, which became one of her character's defining features.
'So Fetch' also sheds light on the experiences of background actors and extras who played minor but memorable roles in the movie. One such example is David Reale, who portrayed Glen Coco, the recipient of Damian's legendary line: 'Four for you, Glen Coco! You go, Glen Coco.' It turns out that Reale stumbled into that role accidentally. Despite not making the cut during auditions, he happened to be on set visiting friends when director Mark Waters spotted him and decided to include him in the film.
The book also provides insights into the wrap party held after the completion of filming. Actress Jill Morrison, who played the Crying Girl, recalls doing shots with Tina Fey and co-star Amy Poehler. They even danced together, with Morrison being astonished when she witnessed Poehler performing a twerking move reminiscent of her Saturday Night Live sketch. Nicole Crimi, who portrayed Regina's younger sister, joined the Plastic actresses for a karaoke session, while Jonathan Bennett (Aaron Samuels) and Amy Poehler entertained the crowd with a rendition of 'Love Shack' by The B-52s.
One interesting tidbit revealed in 'So Fetch' is the negotiation between the filmmakers and the Motion Picture Association to achieve a PG-13 rating for the movie. The MPAA had concerns about certain jokes and lines, leading to some alterations to make the film more teen-friendly. For instance, instead of a character masturbating with a frozen hot dog, the line was changed to 'made out' with a hot dog. Other changes included swapping an insult about 'vag odor' to 'fat whore' and modifying a line about a girl's 'muffin' being 'buttered.' However, when asked to remove the 'wide-set vagina' comment, Tina Fey passionately defended the line, convincing the MPAA to reverse its decision.
With its fascinating trivia and behind-the-scenes insights, 'So Fetch: The Making of Mean Girls (and Why We're Still So Obsessed with It)' is a must-read for any Mean Girls fan. Jennifer Keishin Armstrong's love letter and cultural commentary on the film provide a deeper appreciation for this pop culture phenomenon. If you want to relive the magic of Mean Girls and discover untold stories about its creation, this book is a fetch choice indeed.
