Because you demanded it (I guess?), Elle Woods is coming back to the big screen!
That’s right, Reese Witherspoon’s character from the “Legally Blonde” films is coming back for round three. According to Deadline, MGM is in final talks with the star to reprise her role in the next film. This would mark the first film in the franchise for Witherspoon in 15 years, since 2003’s “Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, & Blonde” hit theaters.
Deadline is also reporting that MGM has signed on Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah to write the script. The duo is responsible for writing the original hit film. There’s been no director named, as of yet, but the report says that MGM is currently searching.
There’s no official plot synopsis yet, but Deadline says that the new film will be in the same “spirit” of the first two, and will focus on female empowerment, which is clearly a hot topic nowadays. MGM is hoping that the new film will capture a more international audience, as well.
Now, ‘Legally Blonde 3’ won’t be the first film in the franchise since 2003. There was a direct-to-DVD sequel, titled “Legally Blondes,” which didn’t star Witherspoon (the actress was listed as a producer), and featured Elle’s two British cousins Annie and Izzy. No word if ‘Legally Blonde 3’ will treat that film as canon, or if this upcoming film will contradict the important events of that previous film.
Kidding aside, the first two films in the series were modest hits for MGM when they were released almost two decades ago. Each earned well over $100 million at the box office, with relatively small budgets. In the interim, the franchise has continued to be part of the pop culture. In 2007, “Legally Blonde: The Musical” scored seven Tony nominations and became a Broadway hit.
There’s no release date set for ‘Legally Blonde 3,’ but feel free to speculate about the inevitable punny title for the sequel.