Entertainment Movies Musical Movies Rachel McAdams 'Wanted' to Participate in New Mean Girls Film but 'It Was Tough': 'Cannot Wait to See It' Of the new screen adaptation of the Broadway musical, the actress said, "I think the direction it went in will be fantastic" By Jen Juneau Jen Juneau Jen Juneau is a News and Movies Staff Writer at PEOPLE. She started at the brand in 2016 and has more than 15 years' professional writing experience. People Editorial Guidelines Published on December 21, 2023 11:18AM EST Rachel McAdams; Reneé Rapp as Regina George in Mean Girls (2024). Photo: Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty, Jojo Whilden/Paramount Rachel McAdams was down for the upcoming Mean Girls musical film, but it seems it wasn't in the cards. "Tina [Fey] and I sort of dabbled with a few ideas, but it was tough to make it all work in the end," the actress, 45, recently told Variety of the new iteration, in theaters next month. McAdams played North Shore High's queen bee Regina George in the original 2004 film, which later inspired a Broadway musical of the same name. The latter is the basis for the upcoming movie, in which Fey — who wrote the original movie, the musical book and the new film — reprises her role as Ms. Norbury. (Tim Meadows is also back as Principal Duvall.) As for McAdams, she "was really down for whatever" Fey, 53, "wanted to do," the Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret actress told Variety. In the end, though, "I think the direction it went in will be fantastic, and I cannot wait to see it," she added. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories. Lacey Chabert, Rachel McAdams, Lindsay Lohan and Amanda Seyfried in Mean Girls (2004). Michael Gibson/Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock Reneé Rapp Says She's 'Obsessed' with Rachel McAdams — Whose' Mean Girls' Role She Plays in Musical Movie In the same interview, McAdams explained why she didn't join original castmates Lindsay Lohan, Amanda Seyfried and Lacey Chabert for the recent Mean Girls–inspired Walmart commercial, which reunited the actresses who played Cady Heron, Karen Smith and Gretchen Wieners, respectively. “I guess I wasn’t that excited about doing a commercial, if I’m being totally honest,” she told the outlet. “I’ve never done commercials, and it just didn’t feel like my bag.” The actress added that she “didn’t know that everyone” — including Lohan, 37, Seyfried, 38, and Chabert, 41, as her fellow “Plastics” — was participating in the ad. “I would, of course, always love to be part of a Mean Girls reunion and hang with my Plastics,” McAdams continued. “But yeah, I found that out later.” Lacey Chabert, Lindsay Lohan and Amanda Seyfried reunite for Mean Girls-inspired Walmart commercial. Lucia Aniello/Hungry Man Rachel McAdams to Make Broadway Debut in Spring 2024 with 'Mary Jane' Play The commercial mixes showcasing holiday deals at Walmart with iconic Mean Girls scenes and began airing on Nov. 1. It offers glimpses of beloved North Shore High School characters as adults, including Cady as a guidance counselor, Gretchen as a needy stage mom and Karen continuing her career as a clueless weather reporter. Kevin Gnapoor (Rajiv Surendra) and Damian (Daniel Franzese) also appear. “It was so nice being back together after all these years,” Lohan told PEOPLE of being on another set with her former costars. “It was great catching up with everyone.” “It was wonderful to spend the day with Amanda and Lindsay,” added Chabert. “And it was so much fun getting to reminisce and be together again.” The Mean Girls musical film is in theaters Jan. 12.