Life on Mars: What to Know Before Seeing the Veronica Mars Movie

A teenage private eyetrust me, I know how dumb that sounds.

Those are the opening lines of the upcomingVeronica Mars movie, and to say the film has been highly anticipated among the cult TV shows rabid fanbase would be an understatement. Some 91,000 Marshmallows the nickname for the Veronica die-hards contributed roughly $5.7 million to a landmark Kickstarter campaign to revive the beloved Nancy Drew-meets-Raymond Chandler series, seven years after the show was canceled by the CW.

Kristen Bell Reveals Veronica Mars Movie Clues

After a whirlwind 24-day film shoot, Veronica Mars has finally made the long journey from the TV screen to the silver screen, premiering at SXSW last week and kicking off a 270-theater rollout on March 14th. (The movie will also be available via video on demand the same day.)

The filmmakers recently released the first two minutes of the film, and its clear they are walking a careful line between appealing to fans and newcomers alike. People who have never stepped foot into the world of Neptune, Ca., shouldnt be scared off:The movies opening sequence serves as both a refresher and an introduction for anyone who didnt watch the TV shows three seasons.Veronica (Kristen Bell) is now living in New York City as a law school graduate with her buttoned-up boyfriend, Stosh Piz Piznarski. The real action kicks off when she receives a call for help from her ex-boyfriend Logan Echolls (Jason Dohring), who is accused of murdering his pop-star girlfriend. Even though she claims she doesnt really do the detective thing anymore, Veronica hops on a plane and lands in Neptune just in time for her high school reunion.

If the opening scene doesnt assuage your fears that the movie will be too insider-y, not to worry: Weve crafted a handy beginners guide to the world of Veronica Mars.

• Meet Veronica: As played by Bell, Veronica Mars is a sarcastic teenage detective with a heart of gold hidden under a snarky Sam Spade exterior. Her interest in crime-solving kicked into gear when her high school best friend, the rich and beautiful Lilly Kane (played by Amanda Seyfried), was murdered. Other investigations a schoolbus accident, a serial rapist on the loose would soon follow.

• Her Father: Keith Mars (Enrico Calantoni), was the sheriff of Neptune, California. While investigating Lilly Kanes death, he wrongfully accused her powerful father software billionaire Jake Kane of the crime. Bad move.

• Mars Investigation: The backlash from the accusation cost Keith his job and his marriage. Veronicas mother, Liane, developed a drinking problem and split town in the wake of the scandal. Keith then opened Mars Investigation, where he and Veronica were kept busy unearthing the secrets that plague the class-divided beach town. Rival P.I. Vinnie Van Go (Ken Marino) and the towns lousy, lazy police department to keep them on their toes.

• Her Anger: In the aftermath of being dumped by her boyfriend, Duncan Kane (Lillys brother), Veronica is drugged with GBH and raped at a party held by the so-called 09er rich-kid crowd. When she went to report the crime, new sheriff Don Lamb called her a liar and kicked her out of his office. Needless to say, they dont like each other very much. While Lamb died, expect more Lamb-fueled fireworks in the film where Jerry OConnell plays Lambs brother and the new sheriff in town.

• Her Friends: Veronica retreated from the popular crowd, instead befriending basketball star Wallace Fennel (Percy Daggs III), and Cindy Mac Mackenzie (Tina Majorino), Neptune Highs resident computer genius. Veronica also had contentious yet useful friendship with Eli Weevil Navarro, leader of a local biker gang called the PCHers.

• Logan Echolls: Veronica started dating Lilly Kanes ex-boyfriend Logan, a troubled rich kid with a M.I.A. mother and a movie-star father. Their rocky relationship hit one snag after another: First she found out he supplied the GHB that drugged her, and then she (rightfully) accused his father of killing Lilly after she stole the tapes he made of them having sex. Despite the bumps, they make it work.

• College: After high school, Veronica enrolled at Hearst College. Logan goes with her, but the couples relationship cant handle Veronicas trust issues and Logans self-destructive streak.

• The Resolution: Thomas said he intentionally gave the series an unsatisfying resolution, hoping the network might pause before pulling the plug. It almost worked too well, though, because while the network still cancelled the series, seven years later fans are still looking for resolution, which they will hopefully get in the new film.

Veronica Mars and 60 Other Reasons to Love 2014

Got it? Good. And Marshmallows, take note: The movie isnt the last youll see or hear of Veronica. Vintage Books signed Thomas to a two-book deal that would include stories set in the Mars-verseand, in an ironic twist, the CW the network that cancelled the show in the first place recently ordered a web-series spin-off featuring show regularRyan Hansen.His character a fratboy-ish surfer-dude named DickCasablancas will play a parody version of himself trying to cash in on all the goodwill surrounding the revived show. There is still signs of life on Mars.