Well, bend and snap! Elle Woods may once again lighting up our movie theaters, as Reese Witherspoon is in talks to reprise one of her most famous and beloved roles. According to Deadline, the 42-year-old actress is in talks with MGM to bring a third chapter in the Legally Blonde saga to the screen.
The original movie was released in 2001 and was a box office hit, raking in $141.8 million worldwide. The film spawned a sequel, 2003’s Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde, a 2007 Broadway musical, an MTV reality show based on the Broadway musical and a terrible straight-to-DVD spinoff (let’s just forget that ever happened).
Deadline reports that the original producer, Marc Platt and screenwriters Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith and Karen McCullah are set to return. Marc’s Platt Productions will be co-producing with Reese’s productions company Hello Sunshine. Hello Sunshine is already responsible for the second season of the HBO series Big Little Lies and has several shows in development, one for Apple TV set to star Reese and Jennifer Aniston.
The plot details have yet to be revealed and there’s no word on whether or not Selma Blair, Luke Wilson, Jennifer Coolidge and/or Bruiser will be coming back for the new movie. As for the story line, Deadline reports:
The intention here is to make this more about female empowerment, a message that hits at a fortuitous time in the culture. The feeling is to draw back in the audience that grew up with the original film and find a new global audience.
At first, I thought, “Why?” but I guess I am kind of curious as to what became of Elle. And I know I’m not the only one. In fact, Reese has been talking about bringing her into the 2010s for a while. Back in 2015, on an episode of Fashionably Late with Rachel Zoe, Reese said of a return to Legally Blonde, “I think we’re ready to see Elle and what she’s up to lately,” adding:
“I actually think it’s kind of great right now because we’re talking about women in politics and how important that is to get more women. And I think it’d be kind of a cool thing to have her be a Supreme Court justice or someone who runs for office.”
[From Fashionably Late with Rachel Zoe/YouTube]
In 2017, the topic came up once again, with Reese telling E! News that she thought it was a “good time” to bring Elle back, stating “I think women need that kind of positivity right now.” I tend to agree. Let’s make America pink again, shall we?
Photos: Instagram, WEN.com, Getty Images
Eh.
I know I’m in the minority here, but I thought the first one was just okay, and that the second one was pretty bad (but I only saw it once.) I found Elle annoying.
I guess there are worse movies to bring back though.
I’m with you Becks – I actually hated the first movie.
I watched the first and thought it was silly but fine. The second movie was pointless and I really don’t see how they will make a 40 yr old shallow ditz interesting. Playing naive works in your 20s but after 20 years she will look dumb if she remains the same.
Thank you.
I’m in the very small minority of people who doesn’t think that film is anywhere near as feminist as it thinks it is. It’s peak White Feminism in a lot of ways.
My first thought was WHY????
I’m with you. I get that they are supposed to be cute/funny/fun movies. I completely disagree. In fact, I find the story line insulting to women.
I just don’t get it…..
I’m with you 100%. A 3rd is not necessary. Neither was a musical.
Hell yes – i’m so ready for it. But it has to be a smart movie, nothing silly or ott. I would love to see Elle Wood for president – or at least in government.
I’m here for it too!
I know she’s all I’m an American Citizen and Draper James southern white femininity, but I still like her, I can’t help myself. I would see this if it looked good/funny.
Hangs head, I’m a nursing mom who loves a fit n flair with nothing I can nurse in in my closet. I came upon DJ and since her line has dressier shirt-top dress I bought a couple. My baby is happy and I don’t have to undress to feed. Win Win.
No shame in finding a good nursing shirt. That’s like finding a unicorn.
I’m always looking for nursing-adaptable tops and dresses. In fact, I’m nursing my toddler right now! Sometimes I can wear a sundress backwards (with the zipper in the front) and it actually looks normal. That trick opened up a lot more wardrobe possibilities.
Reese is the queen of having a really good project followed by a crap one. Look at her IMDB. Wild followed by Hot Pursuit. Big Little Lies followed by that one where she had some young men as roommates. She has a lot of producing power and she can’t think of anything fresh? I know A Wrinkle in Time bombed, but she can’t be this desperate to try and make a hit.
Aw! I thought “Home Again” was cute! Not all her projects have to be so serious like Big Little Lies or Wild. She has a cute/sunny persona, something that not many HWood female actors in her age bracket seem to have. Elle Woods 2020! lol
Eh, most actors have that problem. There’s a lot of mediocre stuff that gets made, and no one is going to work as much as she does have 100% great films.
What I appreciate is she’s actively producing a lot, both for herself and other women. She has a bunch of stuff in the works, a while back I read about at least 4-5 novels she’d bought the rights for.
I’m in! I thought the second movie was kind of awful, but I really loved the first one. I’m curious to see what happened to Elle. I hope they’re able to bring back all, or at least most, of the original cast.
Eh…it’s a franchise that made monster money…and created a character that’s withstood the test of time…so I’m okay with it…and will watch the HECK out of it…once it gets on cable!!!!
Cable
I admire her work ethic, but I’m not drawn to her work as I once was. That “don’t you know who my drunk ass is” episode (not just that snippet, the whole thing and her subsequent non-apology) was such a turn-off and drained the reservoir of good will I had for her.
I’m in. Looking forward to it. I have fond memories of enjoying both films and the musical when it came to town with my daughter so it will be something we can enjoy together.
The second one was dreadful, but I would see the third if it were a return to form a la the first one.
I thought it was a cute movie and I would definitely watch it! Jennifer Coolidge steals every scene that she is in!
Yes she does! If you love her, you need to see A Cinderella Story (if you haven’t already). She is hilarious.