Rachel McAdams was initially told she was “too old” to play the role she wanted in Mean Girls.

The 47-year-old actress is currently promoting her new movie Send Help and reflecting on her iconic career. She spoke about how when she initially auditioned for the Tina Fey comedy, she was going out for the part of Cady, a role that eventually went to Lindsay Lohan.

“I remember thinking, ‘This is a futile exercise. I will never be hired for Cady,’” she told People.

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But she was so impressed with the script, she was willing to take any role.

Luckily for Rachel, director Mark Waters thought she had potential as the movie’s main villain, Regina George.

“You’re too old to play Cady, but you’re just right for Regina,” she remembers him saying. “Regina has been around the block a few times and maybe has a, I don’t know if I’d call her an old soul, but she’s got a few more miles on her than Cady,” Rachel continued. “So I took it as a compliment.”

The Notebook star recently wore a form-fitting sequin dress to the Send Help premiere. See the photos here!