Hollywood star Rachel McAdams has opened up about her surprising experience with the intense fan reaction to her iconic role as Regina George in the beloved 2004 teen comedy Mean Girls. The acclaimed actress recently revealed that she never anticipated the level of hatred her character would receive from audiences, even two decades after the film's release.
The Unexpected Backlash Against Regina George
During an appearance on The Graham Norton Show, McAdams shared her genuine shock at how viewers responded to her portrayal of the ultimate high school queen bee. "I didn't know how hated she would be and for how long," confessed the 47-year-old actress. She recalled watching the film for the first time with an audience alongside her best friend, describing the memorable moment when Regina George meets her cinematic fate.
"Everyone cheered when Regina was hit by a bus, but my friend stood up and screamed, 'Nooooo'" McAdams recounted with amusement. This visceral audience reaction highlighted the powerful impact her character had on viewers, something the actress admits she was completely unprepared for when filming the now-cult classic.
Mean Girls: A Pop Culture Phenomenon
Directed by Mark Waters and written by Tina Fey, Mean Girls featured an ensemble cast including Lindsay Lohan, Lacey Chabert, Amanda Seyfried, Lizzy Caplan, Daniel Franzese, and Tim Meadows alongside McAdams. The film follows Cady Heron (played by Lohan), a teenager who transitions from homeschooling in Africa to navigating the treacherous social hierarchy of an American public high school.
McAdams' Regina George serves as the formidable leader of The Plastics, the school's most exclusive clique that also includes Gretchen Wieners and Karen Smith. The actress has expressed that she didn't foresee the film becoming such a significant pop culture touchstone, nor did she expect her character to generate such enduring animosity from fans worldwide.
From Mean Girls to Survival Drama
McAdams' latest cinematic venture marks a dramatic departure from her high school villain days. She stars in the new survival thriller Send Help, directed by horror maestro Sam Raimi. The film follows financial strategist and survival enthusiast Linda Liddle (played by McAdams) who becomes stranded on a deserted island with her boss Bradley Preston (portrayed by Dylan O'Brien) following a catastrophic plane crash.
Reuniting with Sam Raimi
This collaboration marks McAdams' second project with Raimi, having previously worked with the director on the 2022 Marvel Cinematic Universe film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Speaking about the experience, McAdams praised Raimi's unique directorial approach, noting "He is so wonderful and such a kind and lovely man who makes dark demented films so I knew it would be a big reach."
The actress emphasized how working with Raimi represented a significant creative challenge and departure from her previous roles, demonstrating her continued versatility as a performer willing to explore diverse genres and complex characters throughout her career.
