Tina Fey Says She and Tim Meadows ReprisedMean GirlsRoles 'as Long as We Don't Have to Sing' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Tina Fey, Tim Meadows.Photo:Jojo Whilden/Paramount (2)

Jojo Whilden/Paramount (2)

Tina Feysays she andTim Meadowshad one stipulation aboutreprisingtheirMean Girlsroles in thenew movie musical adaptation.

Fey, 53, tells PEOPLE that she and Meadows, 62, agreed to bring theirrespective roles of Ms. Norbury and Principal Duvallback to the big screen, so long as they didn’t have to sing in the new film, which is a reimagining based on the2018 Broadway musical of the same name.

“I am reprising my role as Ms. Norbury because we thought, well, teachers work for a long time. So it might make sense if Tim and I did it,” she says. “So I called Tim and I was like, ‘Will you do it? I’ll do it if you do it.’ And we said yes, as long as we don’t have to sing.”

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‘Mean Girls’ poster.Paramount Pictures

Paramount Pictures

The newMean Girlsfilm comes almost 20 years after Fey’s original movie premiered in theaters in April 2004.

The originalMean GirlsstarredLindsay Lohan,Rachel McAdams,Amanda SeyfriedandLacey Chabert. Lohan, 37, portrayed Cady, a high school student who moves to the United States from Africa.

She is then introduced to the complexities of high school’s social hierarchies when she meets teen queen bees Karen Smith (Seyfried), Gretchen Wieners (Chabert), and their leader, Regina George (McAdams) — with the trio known as The Plastics.

The new movie musical starsAngourie Riceas Cady,Reneé Rappas Regina (reprising her Broadway role), Avantika as Karen and Bebe Wood as Gretchen.

Tina Fey, Tim Meadows.Theo Wargo/Getty; Gary Gershoff/WireImage

Theo Wargo/Getty; Gary Gershoff/WireImage

On finding an updated group of stars for the new adaptation, Fey tells PEOPLE, “Bringing together a cast of actors is one of my favorite parts of the process, whether it’s in film, television, or stage.”

“I love getting a chance to be a part of it,” she continues. “And I’m so thrilled about this cast that has come together for the newMean Girls.”

“They’re all so incredibly charismatic,” Fey adds of the cast, which also includesJon Hammas Coach Carr,Jenna Fischeras Cady’s mom,Jaquel Spiveyas Damian,Auli’i Cravalhoas Janis andBusy Philippsas Regina’s mom.The newMean Girlsis currently playing in theaters.

source: people.com