Reliving high school rivalry

MANILA, Philippines - Fresh from the hit romantic comedy When in Rome, Kristen Bell now stars in Touchstone Pictures’ new outrageous comedy You Again. She plays successful PR girl Marni who heads home for her older brother’s wedding and discovers that he’s marrying her high school arch nemesis.

“This is a story about people who find their way to a place of forgiveness and acceptance,” says Bell. “There’s a sweetness and heart to this movie that will appeal to many different demographics, and it’s an escapist kind of comedy with some really funny things happening based in reality.”

Bell and You Again director Andy Fickman have had a long-standing friendship since 2001. He is the one responsible for nicknaming her K-Bell, a moniker that she happily responds to.

Fickman reveals, “I first met K-Bell when she was a student at NYU, and I cast her as the lead in Reefer Madness: The Musical. We went through the highs and lows of rehearsing and opening during the tragic events of 9/11, since our theater, Variety Arts, was located behind the red zone. Because we were in the heart of the incident, it bonded all of us further.”

Reflecting on their friendship that has inspired both of their creative sides, he continues, “When K-Bell moved to Los Angeles, we did a very successful musical called Sneaux, and then for Showtime, we filmed Reefer Madness: The Musical Movie which premiered at Sundance as well as winning an Emmy and the Premiere Jury Award at the Deauville Film Festival. We reunited again for a wonderful Breast Cancer Benefit called Les Girls, and then she has been tremendously supportive of Heathers: The Musical, a project I’ve been developing, by playing the lead in multiple readings.”

Why so much work together?

Director Fickman smiles, “K-Bell and I just simply click when it comes to our sense of humor; she is a wonderful muse for me.”

As for teaming up in You Again, Fickman admits, “K-Bell and I had been looking for something to work on, so when this script came to me, I saw K-Bell in the lead. That was a major enticement.”

Regarding her relationship with Andy Fickman, Kristen Bell, whose popularity is rising thanks to her roles in such comedies as Couples Retreat and When in Rome, acknowledges, “Andy was the one who convinced me to move to Los Angeles. I don’t think I would have done it if I had not known him.”

As for collaborating on this comedy, Bell confesses, “I owe Andy, but man, he put me through the ringer on this movie! Marni had a variety of injuries — ant bites, falls, trips, you name it!”

With a hint of a smile, Bell wonders, “It seems like Andy enjoyed every single minute of it!”

Opening soon in theaters, You Again is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures.