Lead Actress Opted Out of Highly-Anticipated Walmart Ad Reuniting Original Cast
Hollywood star Rachel McAdams has finally broken her silence on why she was notably absent from the recent Mean Girls reunion commercial for Walmart, which reunited key cast members from the hit 2004 teen comedy.
In a new interview with Variety, the 44-year-old actress admitted she “just couldn’t get excited about” taking part in the commercial, which featured Lindsey Lohan reprising her role as Cady Heron along with other original cast members like Amanda Seyfried, Lacey Chabert and Jonathan Bennett.
“I was incredibly honored to be a part of that film. It still holds up today… But yeah, no. I just couldn’t get excited about [the commercial]. I know everyone’s talking about it. And I regret [not doing it] in some sense. But at the same time, these ads come up all the time,” McAdams explained.
Commercial Garnered Widespread Attention
The nostalgia-filled commercial immediately went viral when it debuted online on November 25, building tremendous buzz around Walmart’s annual Black Friday sales event. Social media lit up with delighted reactions from fans who were thrilled to see the Mean Girls crew back together.
This overwhelming positive response makes McAdams’ absence all the more puzzling. As one of the film’s undisputed breakout stars, her cameo was hotly anticipated. So why did she pass on such a golden opportunity?
Actress Wasn’t Moved By Concept
Digging deeper, McAdams clarified that she felt no personal connection to the commercial’s concept.
“It didn’t scream ‘reunion’ to me. I was just like, I don’t know… for me personally, I was just like, I don’t know if I can get excited about this,” she told Variety.
Clearly, the pitch failed to resonate with McAdams on an artistic level. While her co-stars seemed game to lampoon their iconic roles for laughs and sales, McAdams felt it lacked meaning.
Still, she harbors no ill will about the ad moving forward without her, wishing her former cast mates well.
“I’m glad the other ladies wanted to do it and thought it was a fun idea. I support them fully,” she stated.
McAdams Has Moved On From Mean Girls Role
McAdams skyrocketed to fame as queen bee Regina George in Mean Girls, still considered one of her most memorable parts. However, nearly 20 years later, the versatile actress has shifted focus in her distinguished career.
She nabbed an Oscar nomination for Spotlight and earned praise for acclaimed dramas like The Notebook and Midnight in Paris. Up next, she’s tackling eras from World War II to 1920s Hollywood in films like Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret and Hollywood Bottoms.
While McAdams keeps levelling up with meaty, emotionally complex roles, returning to play a high school bully likely felt like a regression. Rather than basking in nostalgia, she is future-focused.
Speculation Of Rift With Cast Unfounded
Despite McAdams sitting out the Walmart ad, rumors of friction with her former co-workers appear totally unfounded.
In a charming social media exchange this week, Seyfriend publicly reached out to McAdams, posting “Miss you Rachel McAdams!!”
McAdams responded in kind by commenting “Love you girl!!” followed by a heart emoji.
Their sweet, supportive words clearly indicate no cast drama or resentment at play. Though she passed on this one project, McAdams remains friendly with her Mean Girls family.
McAdams Doesn’t Rule Out Future Reunion
While the actress took a hard pass onWalmart’s trip down memory lane, McAdams isn’t necessarily closing the door on ever revisiting Mean Girls.
“Who knows, maybe one day we’ll get back together,” she hinted to Variety. “That would be cool to see where everybody’s at.”
Perhaps if another reunion opportunity arises and strikes the right creative chord, McAdams would participate. After all, she continues to speak highly of the film itself and her positive experience making it.
A more meaningful event or content piece related to Mean Girls just might entice her back. But for now, cats can keep waiting with bated breath.
Conclusion
Rachel McAdams’ absence from the recent viral Mean Girls commercial came down to one thing – she simply wasn’t moved by the concept. While fans clamored to see the movie’s core four reunite, the actress herself felt no spark of inspiration at the chance. For an Oscar nominee who carefully selects her projects, an advertising gig held little appeal. Though some regret her missing out on capitalizing on the buzz, McAdams stays gracious towards her former co-stars who leapt at the nostalgia-driven campaign. With no apparent cast tensions, perhaps one day she will participate should another reunion opportunity arise that resonates more creatively. But Walmart likely won’t tempt this selective, forward-thinking star back to her teen movie roots.
| Cast Member | Role |
|---|---|
| Lindsay Lohan | Cady Heron |
| Rachel McAdams | Regina George |
| Amanda Seyfried | Karen Smith |
| Lacey Chabert | Gretchen Wieners |
| Jonathan Bennett | Aaron Samuels |
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