'Veronica Mars': A closer look at new faces, old friends...and Madison

Ever since Kristen Bell and creator Rob Thomas put the Veronica Mars movie on Kickstarter last year, the fan reaction has been deafening. The duo set out to raise $2 million for the film and ended up with nearly triple that amount.

But what about the people who missed out on the three seasons of Veronica Mars in the first place? Will they need to binge-watch before the movie hits theaters on March 14, or can they go in blind and just enjoy the standalone story?

Thomas told Kickstarter backers in an October email that he was very encouraged by the reaction from non-VM fans at the film’s first test screening, and the brand-new trailer that arrived Thursday seems to have a good balance of inside jokes and crowd-pleasing action/suspense. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the TV show who needs a refresher (it has been seven years) or a newbie who doesn’t know Don Lamb from Dan Lamb, here is a closer look at all the non-Veronica faces that pop up in the trailer, in order of appearance:

NEW: Unnamed interviewer (Jamie Lee Curtis)

Jamie Lee Curtis’ so-far-nameless character first appeared in the Veronica Mars movie footage that debuted at Comic-Con. In the scene, JLC appears to be interviewing Veronica for…a job? A promotion? A deposition? We don’t know yet, but she’s giving our girl the third degree about being a teen private investigator.

OLD: Keith Mars (Enrico Colantoni)

Ah, the comforting presence of Veronica’s P.I. dad. In the trailer, Keith is still equally proud of (and concerned about) his risk-taking daughter. And he’s still not a big fan of bad boy Logan. So he must be thrilled that Veronica has settled down (for now) with…

OLD: Stosh “Piz” Piznarski (Chris Lowell)

Fans were beside themselves when early footage revealed that Veronica had chosen her milquetoast college buddy to be her adult boyfriend. Really? The cute-but-way-too-safe Piz better enjoy his time with Veronica while it lasts, because he has no chance now that Logan is back in the picture.

OLD: Dick Casablancas (Ryan Hansen)

Veronica’s high school and college terrorizer is still best friends with Logan, still living in Neptune, and still as hilariously immature. Veronica’s name might be in the movie’s title, but Dick gets the trailer’s best one-liners.

OLD: Logan Echolls (Jason Dohring)

The LoVe story continues. She might think she’s moved on, but Veronica rushes to Logan’s side at the drop of a hat when she finds out he’s been (falsely?) accused of murder. The fleeting shots of the former (and hopefully future) couple’s loving glances steal the trailer.

OLD: Wallace Fennel and Cindy “Mac” Mackenzie (Percy Daggs III and Tina Majorino)

Veronica might not seem like the type who would attend her high school reunion, but her best friends talk her into it. Wallace and Mac don’t score too much screen time in the trailer, so it remains to be seen just how involved they’ll be.

OLD: Madison Sinclair (Amanda Noret)

Veronica’s high school nemesis, meanwhile, gets a lot of screen time — mostly as V’s verbal and literal punching bag.

OLD: Gia Goodman (Krysten Ritter)

Gia was an on-and-off friend for Veronica, and no doubt Krysten Ritter’s rising star made Rob Thomas go after her to reprise her 09er role. It’s unclear what terms she and Veronica are on based on the trailer: Her one-and-only (and very sassily said) line? “Veronica Mars!”

OLD: Leo D’Amato (Max Greenfield)

Deputy Leo is a favorite of Veronica’s former love interests, and fan excitement has only risen now that Max Greenfield is a breakout star on New Girl. So Piz not only has Logan to contend with, but also Leo. We don’t like your chances, buddy.

NEW: Sheriff Dan Lamb (Jerry O’Connell)

Not to be confused with Don Lamb, played by Michael Muhney in the TV series, Jerry O’Connell plays the late sheriff’s similarly named brother. Dan appears to have assumed both his brother’s post and his distaste for the Mars family.

BONUS!: Come-hither dancing guy (Dax Shepard)

An eagle-eyed EW commenter pointed out that the guy motioning to Veronica to join him on the dance floor at the reunion is none other than Kristen Bell’s real-life husband. Maybe dancing guy is Veronica’s soul mate instead of Logan! Er, probably not.

The Veronica Mars movie hits select theaters on March 14.