Lizzy Caplan’s pursuit of the iconic Janis Ian in the 2004 film Mean Girls was nearly derailed, as she had to compete against Kelly Osbourne for the part and win over skeptical studio executives. The story of Caplan’s determination highlights the intensity and uncertainty that surrounded her casting, making the Lizzy Caplan Mean Girls role both celebrated and hard-won.
Caplan’s Audition Journey for Mean Girls
The role of Janis Ian didn’t come easily to Lizzy Caplan. Facing what she described as the funniest script she had ever encountered, Caplan was immediately drawn to the film and committed fully to landing the character. She revealed her audition experience, underscoring the competition and her drive to secure the part.
“It was just the funniest script I had ever read,”
Caplan said on Penn Badgley’s Podcrushed podcast.
“I wanted to be in it so bad. I fought so hard and then it worked out. Everybody had to audition, I think, for one of the two main [roles]: Cady, the Lindsay Lohan part, or the Rachel McAdams part.”
— Lizzy Caplan, Actress
Caplan faced resistance from the studio, who initially preferred Kelly Osbourne for the role of Janis Ian. She recalled,
“I went in and they were resistant to casting me. Somebody reminded me of this recently: the studio wanted Kelly Osbourne to play that role.”
— Lizzy Caplan, Actress
Shaping a Unique Character Image
Determined to demonstrate her suitability for Janis Ian, Caplan enlisted the creativity of a hairstylist to help her embody the character’s look. This extra effort involved putting on dark wigs and organizing an impromptu photoshoot to capture her interpretation as a goth kid, which she later submitted as screen grabs to the producers.
“We went to Hollywood Boulevard and put on dark wigs and just anything to send them screen grabs of me looking like a goth kid,”
Caplan revealed. — Lizzy Caplan, Actress
The process was far from brief. The suspense mounted until Caplan finally received the life-changing phone call.
“I don’t remember how long the process was, but I remember getting the phone call and where I was when I got the phone call that I got the part. How many times has that really happened to you in your career: that you just want to celebrate and it’s nothing but exciting?”
— Lizzy Caplan, Actress
Mean Girls’ Success and Lasting Impact
Once cast, Caplan starred in Mean Girls alongside Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, and Amanda Seyfried. The movie, written by Saturday Night Live alum Tina Fey and directed by Mark Waters, was a major commercial hit. It earned over $24 million in its opening weekend and grossed an estimated $130 million globally, cementing itself as a cultural phenomenon and securing Caplan’s place in Hollywood’s comedic landscape.
Caplan’s role as Janis Ian was instrumental in her rising profile, leading to a string of television successes. After Mean Girls, she became a regular fixture on hit TV series such as True Blood, The Class, Party Down, and New Girl. She also took on the critically acclaimed role of Virginia Johnson in Masters of Sex from 2013 to 2016, and starred in the second season of the psychological horror series Castle Rock.
The Possibility of a Mean Girls Sequel
Despite her achievements beyond the film, Caplan has not dismissed the possibility of returning to the halls of North Shore High School. She expressed enthusiasm for a sequel if the creative team, especially Tina Fey, were involved.
“I am so on board with this return of Lindsay Lohan,”
Caplan told Grazia USA in 2022, after learning of Lohan’s interest in reprising her role.
“I’m just pumped. She was such an incredible talent when she was working as a kid and a young adult so I’m happy to see that she’s coming back.”
— Lizzy Caplan, Actress
While Caplan welcomes the idea of working with the original cast and creators, she remains unsure about whether the story has more to offer.
“Of course I would want to be a part of it; I would be an idiot not to join, but to me it feels like Mean Girls had a really good beginning, middle and end. I don’t know what’s left of the story.”
— Lizzy Caplan, Actress
Cast Members Show Continued Interest in a Reunion
Lindsay Lohan, who played Cady Heron, has openly discussed her enthusiasm for a potential sequel.
“That would be my dream to come back and film a sequel to Mean Girls,”
Lohan said during her appearance on SiriusXM’s Andy Cohen Live.
“I think there definitely is momentum towards it.”
— Lindsay Lohan, Actress
In another interview that same month, Lohan described her attachment to the movie’s legacy and her desire to reunite with the creative team, including Tina Fey and director Mark Waters.
“I think I was hanging on to [Mean Girls] for a really long time. I wanted to come back with a Mean Girls 2 with the same cast, work with Tina and the whole crew again, and [director] Mark Waters. That was really what I wanted; I was excited to do that. But that’s all in their hands, really.”
— Lindsay Lohan, Actress
A Defining Career Moment and Cultural Legacy
Lizzy Caplan’s portrayal of Janis Ian has become a defining moment in her career, remembered for both her dynamic performance and the obstacles she overcame to make the role her own. The intensity and passion behind her casting underscore the importance of creative risk and determination in show business. As the possibility of a reboot or sequel remains a topic of discussion, fans continue to celebrate the enduring legacy of Mean Girls — and the perseverance Caplan demonstrated to secure her place in one of Hollywood’s most beloved teen comedies.
