Oh boy, we’re getting a Legally Blonde: The High School Years prequel now
Elle has been officially ordered by Prime Video under Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine banner
Aux News Legally Blonde
The prequel epidemic has claimed another victim. Legally Blonde is the latest franchise to get the younger-years treatment, as Prime Video announced today at their upfront presentation (via Deadline). The series, titled Elle, was created by Laura Kittrell (Insecure, High School) and will be produced under Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine banner, so at least the original pink-clad prodigy is still involved.
All we know about the series thus far is that it will follow Elle in her high school days, “as we learn about the life experiences that shaped her into the iconic young woman we came to know and love in the first Legally Blonde film.” This is a bit of a bummer. Not that we really needed a new story in the first place (the musical is right there!), but if we do have to revisit this franchise, why high school? As one of our colleagues rightfully pointed out, the whole point of the original Legally Blonde film was that Elle was kind of insufferable before she gained confidence and direction in her life at Harvard. Plus, “Burgeoning Blonde Lawyer Takes Over Her High School” has already been done and it was called Clueless. And it was perfect!
Even if this never makes it to air—which is unlikely, based on its backing—we also have two other Legally Blonde titles to look forward to. In April, it was announced that Gossip Girl creators Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage were working on their own spinoff, with Witherspoon set to executive produce. That show will also air on Prime Video, making its acceptance rate a whole lot less competitive than Harvard’s. Mindy Kaling and Dan Goor have also been working on Legally Blonde 3 for several years now.
“I truly couldn’t be more excited about this series! Fans will get to know how Elle Woods navigated her world as a teenager with her distinct personality and ingenuity, in ways that only our beloved Elle could do,” Witherspoon said of Elle in a statement. “What could be better than that?!” Maybe McKenna Grace will finally get her big breakthrough role.
29 Comments
So…Clueless?
*falls asleep*
Trump, is that you?
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As one of our colleagues rightfully pointed out, the whole point of the original Legally Blonde film was that Elle was kind of insufferable before she gained confidence and direction in her life at Harvard.
Beat me to the obvious comment. I guess this is just gonna be some kinda retcon that no she was actually interested in law and debate the whooollle time, you just didn’t know it
I didn’t see her so much as insufferable, but as someone who has the luxury of being sunny and positive towards others because she never had anything about her life challenged, from her home life through college. OK I guess that does sound sort of insufferable, but at least she was friendly. She could have been Vivian (pre-final act).
“because she never had anything about her life challenged, from her home life through college”And how interesting will a show be about a teenager who never experiences any challenges?
Not the slightest bit. The interesting thing about the movie is she finds strength and independence from challenges she’s never faced before, without losing her positive outlook.
But I guess we can’t leave an untapped source of money out there. :/
Ding. Plus people do love that movie.
Yes, she was shown as cute and fun, with the only “insufferable” part from the male perspective that she was obsessed with fashion. Which to be fair is no worse than males being obsessed with sports, or Marvel movies, or whatever — it’s just that as it is “feminine” it is seen as lesser than male-associated obsessions.
I like that it’s her knowledge of girly things that wins the case: “Ms. Windham, had you ever gotten a perm before?”
First thing I thought too. All her growth happened in the movie. What development is there to show in high school when we already know her future?
I think it will show that her blood was filled with LSATichlorians, making it genetically inevitable that she would go to law school.
Now THIS is studying for exams!
If she follows the same character arc as Anakin, does that mean she becomes Rudy Giuliani?
No, because Anakin was redeemed in the end. I just don’t see that happening with Rudy.
Not to mention he looks even worse than maskless Darth Vader.
Thanks, I needed that XD
Imagine how creatively bankrupt you’d have to be to participate in making something like this.
I would love to see them cast Storm Reid.
I mean I love Legally Blonde to death and the musical is a ton of fun but this just sounds…pointless.At best, this is basically going to be Clueless?
Angourie Rice has a more similar energy to Elle Woods than McKenna Grace.
This seems like it’s going to be entertaining! The core of Elle Woods as a character is pursuing goals with unhinged intensity and a naive lack of forethought, a Pollyanna/Anne of Green Gables ability to make friends with the oddest people, and surreal, Barbie-like attention to fashion and design. All of those things are fun in a high school setting and provide scope for a long-running show. It won’t be groundbreaking, but comfort shows don’t have to be groundbreaking.
Ha! Fuck you, Marvel! We’re getting a Legally Blonde Cinematic Universe!
“I’m here to talk to you about the Bend and Snap Initiative.”
Loved the original movie, not even slightly interested in this.
Why does it have to focus on Elle at all? Have a new protagonist and have Elle appear as a legendary defense lawyer who shows up every now and again to oppose (and occasionally mentor) a newly-minted assistant district attorney. (Or just make Elle a supreme court justice in the season finale…)