“This is so iconic”: Rachel McAdams Recreates 1 Iconic Spider-Man Multiverse Meme With Mean Girls Star Reneé Rapp
In an unexpected pop culture crossover moment, actress Rachel McAdams appeared alongside Mean Girls musical star Renée Rapp on Saturday Night Live, recreating the famous pointing Spider-Man meme. McAdams introduced Rapp’s musical performance in the character of the original Regina George from Mean Girls. Rapp, who played Regina George on Broadway and in Paramount’s new Mean Girls musical movie, was making her SNL musical guest debut on January 21.
Did Rachel McAdams cameo in Mean Girls musical movie?
Rachel McAdams, who originated the role of Regina in the 2004 Mean Girls film, introduced Renée Rapp to thunderous applause. The two then posed together pointing at each other, recreating the viral meme format featuring two Spider-Man characters pointing at their doppelgängers. Fans quickly praised the meta moment on social media as “iconic.”
Reneé Rapp, Megan Thee Stallion, and Rachel McAdams recreate ‘Spider-Man’ meme. pic.twitter.com/r1fK8GrylG
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) January 21, 2024
“Tina [Fey] and I sort of dabbled with a few ideas, but it was tough to make it all work in the end,” McAdams explained about not reprising her Regina role. “I was really down for whatever she wanted to do. I think the direction it went in will be fantastic and I cannot wait to see it.”
However, McAdams did not actually cameo in the Mean Girls musical movie itself, unlike other original film cast members. Lindsay Lohan, Tina Fey, Tim Meadows, and Amy Poehler all briefly appear in the new adaptation.
What other Mean Girls reunions happened?
Though absent from the musical movie, McAdams finally reunited with the Mean Girls universe through her SNL cameo. Lohan, who played Cady Heron, recently attended the Mean Girls musical’s NYC premiere alongside Seyfried and Chabert.
Lohan also made a brief cameo in the film as a reporter, marking her first appearance in the Mean Girls world since 2004. Additionally, Lohan, Seyfried, and Chabert starred together in a 2022 Walmart commercial tied to the musical’s release.
“I don’t know; I guess I wasn’t that excited about doing a commercial if I’m being totally honest,” she explained.
McAdams notably did not participate in that ad campaign either, later revealing she turned the opportunity down.
How did fans react to the SNL reunion?
Nonetheless, McAdams’ surprise SNL introduction for Rapp thrilled Mean Girls fans who never expected to see the film Regina George and musical Regina George interact.
The pointing meme recreation with Rapp seems poised to become an iconic GIF from the episode. Rachel McAdams making a surprise appearance as Regina George to introduce Renée Rapp on SNL is the most fetch thing to ever happen, according to fans.
In short, McAdams and Rapp’s SNL crossover symbolically passed the Regina George torch in a meaningful way. It marked McAdams’ first real acknowledgment of Rapp taking over her breakout Mean Girls role nearly 20 years later in the new adaptation. Here are some fan reactions:
Unreal we got Rachel McAdams, Jacob Elordi, Reneé Rapp and Megan Thee Stallion all in one episode. And they ate and left no crumbs on SNL tonight. pic.twitter.com/fnfIdBnYjQ
— Devanayagam (@Devanayagam) January 21, 2024
THISSS IS SOOO ICONIC THE THREE REGINA GEORGE IN ONE ROOM
— Marshmallow (@eeeqa_here) January 21, 2024
I loveet! That iconic pose
— Nigeria Best Real Estate Services/Ihp (@best_ihp) January 21, 2024
https://twitter.com/justvanillaling/status/1748966991358988529
The musical movie may not have fit McAdams’ Regina into the storyline, but her approving SNL introduction for Rapp’s performance served as a special reunion fans adored.