Bend and Snap for This Exciting ‘Legally Blonde’ News!
Legally Blonde has become the first big MGM title to spawn a TV series for Prime Video. The Amazon streamer has ordered Elle, a Legally Blonde prequel series. It hails from the film franchise’s star Reese Witherspoon and her Hello Sunshine banner, part of Candle Media. The project is being unveiled at Prime Video’s inaugural upfront presentation today.
Created by Laura Kittrell (High School, Insecure), who will serve as showrunner, Elle follows Elle Woods in high school 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. The series is set years before the events in the first movie, which kicked off as Elle Woods (Witherspoon) graduated from college and headed to Harvard Law to pursue a legal career.
there have been two Legally Blonde series in the works at Amazon MGM Studios from Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine. The other is a spinoff written and executive produced by the Gossip Girl duo of Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage.
“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. “What could be better than that?! I’m extremely grateful to the incredible teams at Prime Video and Hello Sunshine – along with our amazing writer Laura Kittrell – for making this dream of mine come true. Legally Blonde is back!”
Kittrell executive produces with Hello Sunshine’s Witherspoon, Lauren Neustadter and Lauren Kisilevsky as well the Legally Blonde movie franchise producer Marc Platt. Elle is produced by Hello Sunshine and Amazon MGM Studios.
“One of the most quotable, iconic, and beloved characters that is ingrained in the fabric of Hollywood history has to be Elle Woods, and we are honored to bring her origin story to our global Prime Video customers,” said Vernon Sanders, head of television, Amazon MGM Studios. “Reese and Hello Sunshine’s vision for this series, coupled with Laura Kittrell’s winning voice, made this show completely undeniable.”
Legally Blonde was among a dozen or so titles from the MGM library that were initially identified for film and/or TV development following Amazon’s acquisition of the venerable Hollywood studio. Teaming up with Witherspoon to exploit the IP made sense given how closely she is associated with the franchise .
The first Legally Blonde movie, written by Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith based on the novel by Amanda Brown, debuted in 2001. It became a pop culture phenomenon and propelled Witherspoon to superstardom. Sequel Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde followed in 2003 as well as 2009 direct-to-video spinoff Legally Blondes, which originated as a pilot for a potential series. Legally Blonde 3, co-written by Mindy Kaling and Dan Goor, has been in the works for several years.
At Amazon MGM Studios, Hello Sunshine previously produced the praised Prime Video limited series Daisy Jones & the Six. Witherspoon and the company are repped by CAA and attorney Gretchen Rush. Witherspoon is also with LBI Entertainment. Kittrell is repped by UTA and Mosaic.
Bend and Snap for This Exciting ‘Legally Blonde’ News!
If you’re a fan of the iconic ‘Legally Blonde’ movies, get ready to do your best bend and snap celebration because a prequel series is coming our way! Amazon has greenlit ‘Elle,’ a new show from Reese Witherspoon’s production company Hello Sunshine that will take us back to Elle Woods’ college days.
The Delightfully Blonde Beginning
‘Elle’ will follow the bright and driven Elle Woods as she navigates the hilarious and heartfelt journey of her college experience. Before she rocked Harvard Law and proved her worth in the courtroom, Elle was a fresh-faced student on the path to becoming the powerful woman we know and love.
This prequel promises to dish out an extra-large serving of laughs, feminism, and iconic fashion moments as we watch a young Elle fight for what’s right, make fabulous friends, and still somehow find the time to maintain impeccable hair, nails, and style. It’s what we live for!
The Returning Mastermind and Fresh Talent
Reese Witherspoon, who brought the unforgettable Elle Woods to life in the films, will executive produce the series alongside Lauren Neustadter and Hello Sunshine. Joining them is the brilliant Courtney Kait (‘Fresh Off the Boat’) who will serve as showrunner and inject some fresh millennial energy.
With this dream team at the helm, there’s no doubt ‘Elle’ will have us glued to our screens and rooting for the unstoppable heroine from the very beginning. Get ready for an empowering, laugh-out-loud adventure into Elle’s past!
The Future is Blonde
While an official release date hasn’t been set, you can bet your favorite pink sweater set that ‘Elle’ will be a top priority for Amazon. This is the uplifting and endlessly entertaining story the world needs right now.
Elle Woods showed us that being brilliant and fashionable aren’t mutually exclusive. Now we’ll get to see where that iconic journey started. With Reese Witherspoon’s magic touch and a fresh perspective, ‘Elle’ is primed to be the next big hit series. What, like it’s hard?
Behind the Scenes at ‘Elle’
While plot details are still being kept under wraps, we can expect the ‘Elle’ writers to tap into the rich backstory of the ‘Legally Blonde’ universe. The upcoming series has a world of possibilities to explore Elle’s life before law school and her fierce determination to defy expectations.
We could see her face off against stereotypical sorority snobs, or fight to keep her triple majors while pledging a house. Maybe there will be an iconic meeting with her beloved pooch Bruiser Woods. And of course, the fashion is sure to be ooh-la-la worthy as Elle discovers her signature bold style.
The show also opens up exciting opportunities for fresh faces to join Reese Witherspoon and the creative team. Casting for a young Elle Woods is surely a top priority. Whoever lands the coveted role will need to charm audiences with the same effervescent spirit and quick wit that made Witherspoon’s performance so beloved. It’s a tall order, but the perfect actress could rise to icon status overnight.
Surviving the Snap Cup Test
As any ‘Legally Blonde’ fan knows, the infamous “Bend and Snap” move is a cornerstone of Elle Woods lore. If done right, it’s implanted straight into your muscle memory. The ‘Elle’ team will need to get this pivotal detail right for the prequel to feel authentic.
Perhaps we’ll get to see a fresh twist on the move’s origin story. Did Elle invent it by accident? Was it a college tradition passed down? An entire episode could revolve around Elle teaching her friends this life-changing technique. However it’s incorporated, executing the perfect bend and snap will be vital.
No Date Yet, But a Promising Future
For now, there’s no official release date or episode count for ‘Elle.’ But Amazon’s early renewal shows immense confidence in the project. The series has the potential to join smash-hit shows that turned nostalgic IP into cultural sensations like ‘Cobra Kai’ and ‘Bel-Air.’
And with Reese Witherspoon’s magical touch, ‘Elle’ could even grow into a multi-season hit that explores the character’s entire college experience. Just imagine – four years of Elle Woods’ adventures. What, like it’s hard?
In any case, ‘Elle’ joining Amazon’s lineup is fantastic news for audiences everywhere. It’s another chance to spend time with an iconic character that inspired generations. A little Elle Woods positivity is just what we all need right now. Omigod you guyssss, this is so exciting!
The Legacy of Elle Woods
It’s hard to understate just how impactful and enduring Elle Woods has been as a character. When Legally Blonde first hit theaters in 2001, Elle was a breath of fresh air – a smart, stylish woman who didn’t fit the typical mold. Her unrelenting positivity and refusal to change herself for others was pure inspiration.
Over 20 years later, Elle is now considered one of the most iconic comic heroes in modern cinema. Her signature quotes are eternally engrained in pop culture lexicon. Anecdotes of how the movie empowered people to embrace their authentic selves and defy gender stereotypes are endless.
Reese Witherspoon’s performance is also rightfully hailed as one of the most joyfully aerobic comedic turns in decades. From the very first bend and snap, audiences were smitten with her inexhaustible charm and plucky spirit. It’s a masterclass is leading lady energy.
So for Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine to finally explore Elle’s collegiate roots in ‘Elle’ is a huge moment. It’s a chance to re-immerse existing fans in a world they adore while introducing the iconic character to an entirely new generation. Handled correctly, this prequel could make Elle Woods a hero for the ages.
The Creative TriumViraté
Of course, no Elle Woods project would be complete without the masterminds who invented her. In addition to Witherspoon’s pivotal involvement, ‘Elle’ is reuniting two other key creatives from the original film – writers Karen McCullah and Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith.
This dynamic screenwriting duo was responsible for crafting Elle’s effervescent personality and much of the first movie’s best lines and moments. Having them on board to help map out the character’s origin story is invaluable. They innately understand her voice and what makes her unique.
McCullah and Smith joining forces with Witherspoon’s trusted Hello Sunshine shingle is a TriumViraté of proven talent. It’s the ideal creative team to properly capture the Elle Woods magic while expanding her journey in an organic, entertaining way.
Expectation is high, but following their lead, ‘Elle’ could very well see our lady of the law reaching, well…full levels of renaissance woman.
Earning that Harvard Education
Of course, it wouldn’t be an authentic Elle Woods tale unless she fought against closed-minded prejudices along the way. The best ‘Legally Blonde’ stories are the ones where Elle topples ignorant expectations through her unwavering spirit and keen intelligence.
In ‘Elle,’ we could see the character face off against sexist admissions boards or dismissive academic advisors. Maybe she’ll have to prove her worth after being dismissed as a “dumb blonde.” An ongoing arc could even revolve around Elle fighting for a spot at an elite university where she was initially rejected or given the runaround.
However the conflict surfaces, you can bet Amazon’s writers will craft delicious underdog storylines that allow Elle to showcase her quick wit and tenacity. Much like the original film’s memorable courtroom finale, earning her Harvard level education in a climactic, thrilling way would be hugely satisfying.
It’s not just about seeing Elle glow up into a mature scholar, either. The real victory is watching her silence her detractors and blazing an empowered trail for other women to follow. It’s been Elle’s mission since day one, making her story utterly timeless.
Unlimited Potential
Whether you’re a day-one Legally Blonde stan or have yet to experience the magic of Elle Woods, ‘Elle’ promises to be an absolute delight. It’s rare that any prequel project is greeted with this level of anticipation and excitement. But the character’s impact and Reese Witherspoon’s sparkling charisma have guaranteed this one will be golden from start to finish.
With the original creators involved and Amazon’s full backing, ‘Elle’ has unlimited potential to be the can’t-miss comedy of the year. It could easily kick off an entire multi-season arc following Woods through her college career and into law school. A full-fledged Legally Blonde expanded universe could be a very real possibility.
However it shakes out, one thing is certain – tuning in to see the latest adventures of the indomitable Elle Woods will be anything but… boring. What, like it’s hard? As if!
Bending and Snapping for Diversity
One of the most exciting aspects of ‘Elle’ is the opportunity it presents to expand the ‘Legally Blonde’ world with fresh, diverse perspectives. While the original films were groundbreaking for putting a smart, stylish woman at the center, the franchise was still largely confined to a very specific viewpoint and setting.
With ‘Elle’ going back to explore college life, the writers have a prime chance to build out Elle’s world with a vibrant, inclusive supporting cast. We could meet Elle’s dorm mates from all walks of life, each with their own dreams, struggles, and friendships with the bone-deep bond that only forms in those formative undergrad years.
The ensemble could showcase women of different races, body types, sexualities, and backgrounds – all rallying behind Elle’s unstoppable spirit. Seeing her positivity and feminism impact women from all corners of the community would be incredibly powerful.
It would also make the show a richer, more well-rounded experience. ‘Legally Blonde’ was a gamechanger for having Elle useher kaleidoscopic personality to shatter expectations. ‘Elle’ would double down on that concept, assembling a true sisterhood of diverse heroes brought together by their indomitable ambitions and beliefs.
Serving Up Fashion Inspiration
Of course, it wouldn’t be an authentic Elle Woods story without some iconic fashion moments and makeovers. The character’s bold style and impressive alumni connections could allow ‘Elle’ to embrace runway-level wardrobe goals.
Every week, Elle could try out audacious new looks combining elements of prepster chic and trendy Cali girl. Her savvy influence could inspire style evolutions in her friends’ closets too, sparking catchy phrases like “Dress for the student you want to become!” Elle’s ability to weaponize a perfectly coordinated outfit is an art form, after all.
And if her fan-favorite tiny stuffed animal buddy Rufus makes an appearance, you can bet his sartorial choices would be on point too. Few things delight audiences more than seeing a tiny chihuahua in miniature Juicy Couture.
The fashion possibilities would be nearly endless, bolstered by Amazon’s willingness to commit serious wardrobe budgets. ‘Elle’ could easily become the next great style inspiration show for a new generation, much like ‘Sex & the City’ and ‘Gossip Girl’ were for previous decades.
While plot and character will be paramount, you can bet her envy-inducing duds, makeover montages, and signature accessorizing moments will be Just. As. Important.
Dreaming of the Admissions Video
In the original ‘Legally Blonde,’ Elle Woods’ admissions video showcasing her now-iconic “body bride” idea is an all-timer. It perfectly encapsulated her confidence, creativity, and ability to turn perceived negatives into positives using her own unique charisma.
Any fan is surely dreaming of ‘Elle’ delivering a fresh, new take on such an admissions video. It could even become a multi-episode arc with Elle putting together her absolute best effort at highlighting her spirit, smarts, and ambition in a fun, indelible presentation.
The actual video concept itself would be ripe for all kinds of comedic scenarios – like Elle scrambling to cast the perfect supporting players, borrowing wigs and props from her theatre student friends, or struggling to book the ideal filming locations around campus.
And of course, once the final product is ready, we’d need to see the admissions staff’s priceless reactions in all their ignorant, jaw-dropping glory. Getting a first glimpse of judgemental educators having their deliciously pretentious presuppositions about Elle shattered would be beyond delightful.
It would all build to the now-classic Elle Woods resilience – completely slaying her pitch while being utterly, uncompromisingly herself. An inspired admissions moment like that in ‘Elle’ could instantly become as immortalized as the original.