Mean Girls author Rosalind Wiseman SLAMS Tina Fey while considering LEGAL action against Paramount

Mean Girls writer, Rosalind Wiseman, has slammed Tina Fey while also revealing that both she and her lawyers are preparing to take legal action against Paramount Studios for allegedly withholding revenue.

The author, 54, whose book Queen Bees and Wannabees was the inspiration behind the 2004 hit, sold her film rights back in 2002 for $400,000, according to an article in the New York Post on Saturday.

She informed the outlet that she has not received an ounce of compensation since, and stated, 'I think it’s fair for me to be able to get compensated in some way for the work that has changed our culture and changed the zeitgeist.'

Since its release back in 2004, Mean Girls has become a classic beloved by many audiences, garnering a whopping $130 million in the box office on a budget of just $17 million. Due to its popularity, a Broadway musical was also created based on the film, and premiered in 2018. 

Rosalind expressed that she had reached out to Paramount, but she said the studio claimed to her that it has not made any profit from the franchise. 

Taking action: Mean Girls writer, Rosalind Wiseman, 54, revealed that she and her lawyers are preparing to take legal action against Paramount Studios and Tina Fey for withholding revenue; seen in 2018

Revenue: The author claimed to the New York Post on Saturday that she signed her film right away in 2002 and received $400,000 but has not received any compensation since

The author also alleged that Tina Fey, who not only starred in the project but also wrote the screenplay, has not shown any 'support.'

After saying silent on the situation for many years, Rosalind told the New York Post, 'For so long I was so quiet about it, so, so quiet, but I just feel like the hypocrisy is too much.' 

'Over the years Tina’s spoken so eloquently about women supporting other women, but it’s gotten increasingly clear to me that, in my own personal experience, that’s not going to be the experience,' she expressed, adding, 'You don’t just talk about supporting women, you actually do it.' 

Upon signing the contract in 2002 and giving up her film rights, as well as rights to TV shows and musicals, Rosalind was set to receive net profits and also residual gains, based on the success of the movie once it hit theaters. 

However, Wiseman has claimed that the studio told her that it has gained 'extra costs' rather than net profits, thus not having the ability to give any spare revenue to her. Rosalind's lawyers have stepped in and want to audit Paramount's books.  

The author admitted, 'Yes, I had a terrible contract, but the movie has made so much money, and they keep recycling my work over and over again, so to not even consider me.' 

She revealed that although she had a number of different offers for the rights, Rosalind chose to work with Tina due to feeling that, 'it was very much a 'we're doing this together' kind of experience,' at the time. 

'We created this thing, Tina took my words, she did an extraordinary job with it. She brought it to life and the material has been used and recycled for the last 20 years.' 

'I’m clearly recognized and acknowledged by Tina as the source material, the inspiration. I’m recognized and yet I deserve nothing?' Wiseman questioned. 

The author then admitted to the publication that the experience has been rather 'painful.' 

Lack of 'support': The author also alleged that Tina Fey, who not only starred in the project but also wrote the screenplay, has not shown any 'support'; former SNL star seen earlier this month in NYC

Speaking out: After saying silent on the situation for many years, Rosalind told the New York Post, 'For so long I was so quiet about it, so, so quiet, but I just feel like the hypocrisy is too much'

She then brought up the premise of her book, and stated, 'Women don’t have to be best friends, we can get mad at each other, but when it comes down to it we need to actually support each other.' 

Rosalind's lawyer, Ryan Keech, also opened up to the New York Post about the studio's 'treatment' to the author, calling it, 'nothing short of shameful.' 

In regards to the Tony-nominated musical which hit Broadway for audiences in 2018, but came to an end due to the pandemic in 2020, Wiseman informed the outlet that years ago, a theater producer had reached out to her to adapt the story into a musical. 

However, she claimed that both Paramount and Fey shut down the possibility, citing ownership rights, resulting in Rosalind receiving no compensation. Wiseman attended the premiere of the musical, which was also the last time she had seen Tina in person. 

'What’s hard is that they used my name in the Playbill,' she explained. 'And Tina, in her interviews, said I was the inspiration and the source, but there was no payment.'

Rosalind explained to the New York Post, 'For a lot of reasons I didn’t come forward for a while and one of the reasons for all of these years —because I was so focused on me not whining or trying to trash Tina.' 

'That’s just not who I am and it’s almost disrespectful to the content of what we were doing. I just felt so trapped,' but added, 'I believe really strongly when you’re in a position of power and privilege that you have a responsibility to share that to create equity.'  

Back in January 2020, it was announced that the musical would be adapted into a film, with Tina Fey writing the project, as well as producing and reprising her original role of teacher, Ms. Norbury. Rosalind claimed that Fey had never reached out to her in regards to the upcoming movie. 

At the time of the big news, the former SNL comedian told Playbill, 'I’m very excited to bring Mean Girls back to the big screen.' 

The contract: , Wiseman has claimed that the studio told her that it has gained 'extra costs' rather than net profits, thus not having the ability to give any spare revenue to her

Musical adaptation: 'What’s hard is that they used my name in the Playbill,' she explained, adding, 'And Tina, in her interviews, said I was the inspiration and the source, but there was no payment'; Fey seen earlier this month in NYC

'It’s been incredibly gratifying to see how much the movie and the musical have meant to audiences. I’ve spent 16 years with these characters now. They are my Marvel Universe, and I love them dearly,' she had continued. 

Leading cast members, which were revealed late last year in December, include Angourie Rice, Renée Rapp, Auli'i Cravalho, and Jaquel Spivey, per People. While Tina will reprise her role, Tim Meadows will also step back into the shoes of Principal Duvall. 

In the 2004 teen comedy, Lindsay Lohan, who recently announced her pregnancy, along with Rachel McAdams, Lacey Chabert, and Amanda Seyfried. Whether the four will make a cameo in the upcoming Paramount+ project has yet to be revealed. 

Last month, a source told Page Six that,' Paramount Pictures doesn’t want to pay the girls what they are worth,' adding, 'All four girls were willing to come back, but Paramount has not been respectful of what they are worth.'

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