‘Runaways’ Co-Stars Alia Shawkat & Kristen Stewart Reunite In ‘The Wrong Girls’
From Rock Band Mates to Stoner Comedy Besties: Alia Shawkat and Kristen Stewart Reunite After 14 Years
Quick Summary: Actresses Alia Shawkat and Kristen Stewart first met as teenage rockers in The Runaways (2010). Back then, Shawkat couldn’t even speak in the movie due to legal issues. Now, 14 years later, they’re reuniting as codependent stoner best friends in the new comedy The Wrong Girls—and this time, they actually get to talk (and hang out) for real!
The First Meeting: The Runaways (2010)
Imagine being cast in a movie about a famous 1970s all-girl rock band. That’s exactly what happened to Alia Shawkat and Kristen Stewart back in 2010.
- Kristen Stewart played Joan Jett (the famous guitarist and singer)
- Alia Shawkat played Robin Robins (a fictional stand-in for real-life bass player Jackie Fox)
- The movie was directed by Floria Sigismondi
- Other cast members included Dakota Fanning (as Cherie Currie), Stella Maeve, and Scout Taylor-Compton
Fun Fact: There’s a behind-the-scenes photo showing Stewart as Joan Jett and Shawkat holding a bass guitar, looking like total rock stars!
The Silent Role: Why Shawkat Couldn’t Speak
Here’s the wild part: Alia Shawkat learned all the songs, showed up ready to rock… and was told she couldn’t say a single word.
What Happened (In Simple Steps)
- Shawkat prepared for weeks – She learned all the bass parts and songs for her character
- First day on set – She arrived excited to perform
- The bombshell – Producers told her: "You can’t speak for legal reasons"
- The reason – The real person her character was based on (Jackie Fox) had become an entertainment lawyer and didn’t want to be involved in the film
- The result – Shawkat spent the whole movie holding a guitar in the background, standing slightly to the left
Important Point: Shawkat told this story at a recent screening: "I literally was not allowed to speak in that movie… They were like, ‘You can’t speak for legal reasons.’ And I was like, ‘OK, cool. So, just like holding a guitar in the background?’ They’re like, ‘Yeah, just stand to the left a little bit.’"
The Reunion: The Wrong Girls (2024)
Fast forward 14 years, and the two actresses are back together—this time in a stoner comedy written and directed by Dylan Meyer, distributed by Neon, hitting theaters August 14.
What’s Different This Time?
| The Runaways (2010) | The Wrong Girls (2024) |
|---|---|
| Shawkat couldn’t speak | Both have full speaking roles |
| Barely interacted on set | Play codependent best friends |
| Serious musical drama | Chaotic stoner comedy |
| Teenage rock stars | Adults facing eviction and chaos |
What They Said About Each Other
- Stewart on Shawkat: "I thought she was so fucking cool."
- Shawkat on Stewart: "We hit it off, but we weren’t hanging all the time."
- Stewart on working together now: "We wanted to kick it forever, and then we got to make a movie, which is like the best way to kick it with anyone."
- Shawkat on the reunion: "This was the first time we actually got to hang out properly and play friends… it felt like it was a moment where we were able to capture something that was always there."
What The Wrong Girls Is Actually About
Think Thelma & Louise meets Pineapple Express with a case of mistaken identity.
The Plot (Simplified)
- Molly (Shawkat) and Frankie (Stewart) are best friends and roommates
- They’re one day away from being evicted (no money, no plan)
- They discover a mind-altering drug (cue the "stoner" part)
- This drug gets them caught up in a chaotic case of mistaken identity
- Hilarity and chaos ensue as they try to survive the mess they’ve stumbled into
Genre: Stoner comedy / Buddy comedy / Crime caper
Release Date: August 14, 2024 (in theaters)
Studio: Neon
Writer/Director: Dylan Meyer
Star-Studded Supporting Cast
This isn’t just a two-person show. The movie packs an incredible ensemble:
- LaKeith Stanfield (Atlanta, Judas and the Black Messiah)
- Zack Fox (Abbott Elementary)
- Tony Hale (Veep, Arrested Development)
- Seth Rogen (Superbad, The Fabelmans)
- Kumail Nanjiani (Silicon Valley, The Big Sick)
- Geena Davis (Thelma & Louise, Beetlejuice)
- Kate McKinnon (SNL, Barbie)
- Cate Blanchett (Lord of the Rings, Tár — yes, Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett!)
Why This Reunion Matters
For the Actors
- First real collaboration where they share screen time as friends
- Chance to show their natural chemistry (which clearly exists)
- Stewart called it "the best way to kick it with anyone"
For Us (The Audience)
- We get to see two talented actresses who’ve grown up on screen
- A female-led stoner comedy (still rare in Hollywood)
- An absurdly stacked cast in what looks like a wild, fun ride
Summary
- 2010: Shawkat and Stewart meet on The Runaways set. Shawkat plays a mute background rocker due to legal issues.
- 2010–2024: They go their separate ways, building impressive careers.
- 2024: They reunite in The Wrong Girls—a stoner comedy where they play codependent best friends facing eviction, a mystery drug, and mistaken identity.
- Bonus: The movie features a legendary supporting cast including Cate Blanchett, Seth Rogen, and Geena Davis.
- Release: August 14 in theaters via Neon.
FAQ
When does The Wrong Girls come out?
August 14, 2024 — in theaters only (distributed by Neon).
Why couldn’t Alia Shawkat speak in The Runaways?
The real-life person her character was based on (Jackie Fox) became an entertainment lawyer and refused to participate in the film. For legal reasons, Shawkat’s character couldn’t have any lines.
Is The Wrong Girls a sequel to The Runaways?
No! Completely different movie, different genre, different characters. Just the same two actresses reuniting 14 years later.
Who wrote and directed The Wrong Girls?
Dylan Meyer — this is her feature directorial debut. She also wrote the script.
Will I like this if I’m not into stoner comedies?
If you like buddy comedies, chaotic capers, or great ensemble casts, there’s a lot to enjoy beyond the "stoner" label. Plus, seeing Shawkat and Stewart’s real-life chemistry play out on screen is worth the ticket alone!
