"Veronica Mars" Movie Raises $2 Million—Here's Why Everyone is Obsessed

The "Veronica Mars" movie is underway! On Wednesday Rob Thomas, the creator of the popular television show, managed to raise $2 million dollars in just 10 hours on the crowdfunding website Kickstarter to get a movie version of the series off the ground.

Even though the show has been off the air since 2007, its fans haven't lost any enthusiasm. The film project was the fastest in Kickstarter history to raise $1 million dollars. For those unfamiliar with the series, here’s why people are so obsessed.

Veronica is the feminist version of Nancy Drew
Veronica Mars is a teenage sleuth. She gets her interest in detective work from her father, who works as a private detective in the fictional town of Neptune, California. Veronica, played by Kristen Bell, is incredibly bright and can talk herself out of any situation. She even has a Watson-like sidekick named Wallace. The show also deals very seriously with class, race, gender, and violence.

Kristen Bell is the epitome of nerd hot

The success of "Veronica Mars" has almost everything to do with the talent of its lead actress. As we’ve mentioned earlier on Shine, Kristen Bell is the epitome of nerdiness, and we love her for it. She’s also petite, blonde, and funny, and as Veronica she uses her charm to get what she wants: information.

The show is driven by a central murder mystery
Once, Veronica’s life in Neptune was ideal. She was popular in school; she dated the most popular boy in school. Then everything fell apart when Veronica’s best friend Lilly Kane was murdered. When her father accuses Lilly’s father, a powerful and rich man, of committing the crime, Veronica and her father are ostracized, and Veronica’s mother, presumably from the societal pressure, leaves town.

Think "Buffy" meets "The X-Files" (without the supernatural element)
In many ways, "Veronica Mars" (2004-2007) picked up the torch of girl power from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (1997-2003) with its tough female protagonist. There are story arcs that deal with the resolution of single crimes, but the through-line of the show is Veronica’s desire to solve Lilly’s murder, similar to Fox Mulder’s obsession with his sister’s abduction by aliens.

Veronica and Logan 4Eva

One of the main relationships on the show is the one between Veronica and Lilly’s boyfriend, Logan. At the beginning of the show they are enemies, but as time goes on theirs becomes more of a love/hate, and then a romantic relationship. Fans of the series frequently name the chemistry between these two actors as one of the best parts of the series.

The theme song is incredible

The opening theme song to "Veronica Mars" is “We Used to Be Friends,” by The Dandy Warhols. Like all awesome theme songs, it’s a great song on its own, but it distills the plot and vibe of the show perfectly. Now that you know it, you’ll notice all the "Veronica Mars" fans that have it as their ringtone.

Two words: Lisa Rinna (and other amazing celebrity cameos)
Actress Lisa Rinna and real-life husband Harry Hamlin play Logan’s mom and dad on the show, and they are sort of playing themselves. His dad is a famous actor and his mom is a washed up MILF.  Other notable cameos include Paris Hilton, Leighton Meester, Jane Lynch, Paul Rudd, Michael Cera, and Alyson Hannigan.

There is a serious fanbase. Extremely serious.
When ratings waned in the three season, the CW canceled the show. Fans were devastated. One group, calling themselves “Cloud Watchers,” actually chartered a plane to fly above the CW offices with a banner reading “Renew Veronica Mars.”

Now you see why it’s not so surprising that many people donated their hard-earned cash to see "Veronica Mars" return . . . this time, on the big screen. According to creator Rob Thomas, filming will begin this summer with an estimated release date early in 2014.

Kristen Bell, who is nine months pregnant, was ecstatic over the news. She tweeted, “All this excitement is going to send me into early labor . . . You all are so spectacular. I am speechless.”