Lindsay Lohan wanted to be Regina, but the arrival of Rachel McAdams changed everything.
Lohan Wanted Regina, But Ended Up Cady
When Lindsay Lohan signed on for “Mean Girls,” she wanted to play Regina George.
After Freaky Friday, she wanted to play a glamorous, confident girl — not another “damaged teenager.” But destiny had other plans.
Director Mark Waters initially considered Lohan for Regina. He said, “Lindsay’s energy was very Regina — strong, forceful.”
But when the perfect actress for Cady Heron was not being found, the tables turned.
Rachel McAdams: Too Old for Cady, Perfect for Regina
Waters auditioned a Canadian actress for the role of Cady — Rachel McAdams.
But he immediately said, “You’re way too old for this part, but you’re a movie star.”
Rachel was 25 at that time, while Lohan was only 17.
So the role of Cady went to Lohan, and McAdams became Regina George — the queen bee with maturity and power.
Lohan’s Reaction: A Little Sad, But Then She Owned It
Lohan was initially a little disappointed. Regina’s role seemed more fun.
But producer Sherry Lansing made it clear — after Freaky Friday, Lohan should have the lead.
And honestly, it worked. Lohan portrayed Cady’s innocence and confusion perfectly.
Real-Life Plastics Vibe On Set
Lohan confessed later that she felt like an outsider on set. “Amanda and Lacey were hanging out.
Rachel was older. I was still in school,” she said. Their age gap was a little awkward with the cast.
Art imitated life — just like Cady struggled to fit in the Plastics, so did Lohan.
20 Years Later: Still Iconic
“Mean Girls” is still a cult classic. But this casting twist shows how one decision can change the entire narrative.
Imagine if Lohan was Regina — would it still be fetch?
“You can’t sit with us” — unless you know the real story behind the Plastics! 💅