“Bad Girls” is returning to theaters on January 12, twenty years after the original film stunned audiences. The new version keeps the same writer behind the teen comedy, Tina Fey, but the cast has been refreshed with a bold, contemporary lineup. The iconic Plastics are making way for a fresh generation of high school icons who will compete for the coveted crown of the top clique at the institute. This reimagining brings a new set of performers to reinterpret the beloved characters in a modern context.
Reneé Rapp as Regina George
Regina George stands as one of pop culture’s most enduring teenage antagonists. In the original 2004 movie, the role was brought to life by Rachel McAdams. In the upcoming adaptation of the musical, Reneé Rapp takes on the mantle. Regina is confident, calculating, and relentless in her pursuit of power and status. As the plot unfolds, Regina grows increasingly unsettled as new social dynamics shift the balance of popularity, testing her control and resolve.
Reneé Rapp brings a long history of stage performance to the role, including leading work in the Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical that shares the same title. Her screen presence is complemented by her work in television, where she has appeared in recent projects such as the HBO Max series about college life, expanding her reach beyond the stage.
Angourie Rice as Cady Heron
Cady Heron, the new arrival navigating American high school life after a move from Africa, enters as a character who begins with limited social exposure due to homeschooling. Her initial kindness and earnest desire to fit in with the Plastics gradually give way to a deeper involvement in their microcosm, ultimately steering her toward leadership ambitions and a shift in the group’s dynamics. The new interpretation places Cady at the center of the social experiment, reflecting how identity shifts under pressure in a modern school environment.
Angourie Rice, known for her work across global projects, takes on the role in this updated version. The Australian actress has drawn audiences with her performances in major franchises and critically acclaimed films, making her a fitting choice to portray a character who evolves from naivety to strategic influence during the high school saga.
Bebe Wood as Gretchen Wieners
Gretchen Wieners remains the third member of the Plastics, the gossip-driven confidante who carries secrets about the clique’s inner workings. The character’s wealth and family history add layers to her loyalty and her attempts to navigate Regina George’s dominance. Gretchen’s place in the social order provides a window into the pressure of maintaining appearances and the cost of truth in a culture of rumor.
Bebe Wood brings a background in both comedy and drama, with notable television roles that showcase her versatility. Her performances reflect how Gretchen’s wit and vulnerability can coexist, offering audiences a fresh reading of a character who often serves as a mirror to Regina’s ambitions and the group’s moral compromises.
Avantika Vandanapu as Karen Smith
Karen Smith, one of the Plastics, first appeared in the original film as a character influenced by the others in her circle. Her lighthearted charm and occasional misguided observations provide a counterbalance to the more calculated leadership of Regina and Gretchen. The new cast version reintroduces Karen with a renewed sense of humor and warmth, preserving the character’s role as a source of levity within the clique’s dynamics.
Avantika Vandanapu steps into the part with a track record of leading roles in recent family-friendly productions. Her experience includes starring in projects that blend humor with heartfelt moments, positioning her to bring fresh energy to Karen’s lighthearted, sometimes naive, perspective.
Auli’i Cravalho as Janis Ian
Auli’i Cravalho, renowned for voicing the lead in a beloved Disney musical and performing the accompanying theme, assumes the part of Janis Ian in the updated film. Janis is Regina George’s childhood friend whose bond fractures under pressure and rumor, setting in motion a plan to confront the clique’s dynamics. In the new adaptation, Janis figures as a pivotal catalyst who challenges Regina and helps drive the narrative arc toward revenge and transformation.
Cravalho’s broad artistry and musical background add a contemporary layer to Janis, a character whose history with Regina and her own ambitions intersect with Cady Heron’s arrival and the evolving social landscape of the school. The performance leverages Cravalho’s vocal talents and stage experience to illuminate Janis’s resilience and complexity as the story unfolds.