Latest news with #ElleWoods
Tom's Guide
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
I rewatched ‘Legally Blonde' on Prime Video — here's why Elle Woods is more relevant than ever
In a world full of mean girls, be an Elle Woods — not a Regina George. As the upcoming "Elle" series on Prime Video prepares to take us back to Elle's high school days, it's worth remembering why "Legally Blonde" remains a standout in the crowded field of '90s and early 2000s It Girls. Cher Horowitz, Summer Roberts, Blair Waldorf, Elle Woods: These teen and young adult queens strutted through pop culture hallways with glossy hair and to-die-for wardrobes. But only one of them climbed the hallowed Harvard Law steps ("What, like it's hard?") Now, you can revisit Elle's story by streaming "Legally Blonde" before the TV prequel series premieres. It's currently available on Prime Video, but not for long, so don't wait or you'll miss out. Sure, Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) has privilege and lots of it. But unlike her pop culture peers, she wields it as a tool, not a weapon. While Cher and Blair perfected the art of the 'frenemy,' Elle breaks the mold from the very first scene. She's not just popular, she's smart, compassionate and fiercely self-aware — traits rare enough in teen rom-coms that pigeonhole women into 'popular,' 'nerd,' or 'weirdo.' Elle is all three at once. The film's only truly sharp barb? 'When I dress up as a frigid b---h, I try not to look so constipated.' Honestly, the recipient of that quote, Vivian (Selma Blair), deserved worse after the relentless bullying she dishes out. But Elle balances that with generosity, like pretending to be Awkward David's jilted ex just to help him score a date and championing Paulette (Jennifer Coolidge), the unsung nail tech queen. The early Elle-Vivian rivalry fizzles quickly; instead of tearing each other down, they team up to take down Warner (Matthew Davis) and the patriarchy. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Elle's story isn't the typical Popular Girl vs. Nerd showdown. It's a reminder that sometimes, the real enemy is the system, not each other. Unlike Blair Waldorf or Regina George, who cling to power by controlling others, Elle genuinely supports her friends and uplifts those around her. She embodies benevolence where most It Girls wield their status like a weapon. At its core, "Legally Blonde" is a rom-com about Elle and ... herself. She initially chases Warner to Harvard Law, but quickly realizes she's too complex, too capable and yes, too blonde for anyone's narrow expectations. When Warner dismisses her, Elle quietly flips him off with a near-perfect 179 on the LSAT and a revelation that self-love beats dependence. Even 24 years later, "Legally Blonde" still resonates. It's not just a nostalgia trip; it inspired young women to challenge expectations, pursue law, and fight for causes. The sequel spotlighted animal rights before cruelty-free beauty was mainstream, arguably helping kickstart a cultural shift. Elle's influence even extends into Broadway and pop culture, with Ariana Grande's '7 Rings' tipping a pinky to the iconic film. The rumored "Legally Blonde 3" movie has lingered for years, but now the wait is over for fresh Elle Woods content. Prime Video's prequel series, "Elle," set for 2026, promises to introduce a new generation to the confident, kind and unstoppable Elle Woods—Lexi Minetree has big heels to fill. And honestly, who better to remind us all: In a world of Regina Georges, be an Elle Woods.
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Reese Witherspoon's Legally Blonde prequel Elle is branded a 'pointless money grab' that 'nobody wants to see' by disgruntled fans
As casting announcements continue to be made about the upcoming Legally Blonde prequel, disgruntled fans have dubbed the Reese Witherspoon-produced series a 'pointless money grab' that 'nobody wants to see'. Titled Elle, the production is set to sashay onto screens in summer 2026, and features 24-year-old rising star Lexi Minetree as a young Elle Woods. But while some fans are keen to see their favourite Harvard-bound heroine in her formative years, others are asking: do we really need to see what Elle was like before she knew what 'habeas corpus' meant? The new show promises to explore Elle's early life, presumably in the sun-drenched halls of her Beverly Hills high school, before she turned heartbreak into Harvard acceptance. But if early internet reactions are anything to go by, not everyone is buying the glittery reboot. While there's certainly excitement around the casting of fresh-faced Minetree, critics have taken to social media to call out what they see as yet another example of a sequel/prequel/spin-off nobody actually asked for. One user on X said: 'This is so funny to me because why does Elle Woods need a prequel? 'She is one of the most fully formed characters. We fully understand her whole deal and where she came from basically instantly.' Echoing this sentiment, another person added: 'Also there's no room for good character arc! 'Nobody wants to see how Elle became the person she was at the start of the movie… the movie has her arc, so any arc they give her in the show is going to ring false.' The original 2001 film Legally Blonde, starring Reese Witherspoon in arguably her most well-known role, was praised not just for its bright visuals and punchy dialogue, but for its portrayal of Elle's transformation. From ditzy fashion student to rising legal star, her backstory isn't a mystery, it's clear from the first five minutes, argued fans. Another user said: 'Doesn't even make sense… The entire point of Legally Blonde is to show Elle's character arc from superficial to empathetic. 'She wouldn't have had a major character growth story before the events of the film or else it negates the entire point of the film.' Others questioned the narrative logic. If viewers know Elle's long-time boyfriend Warner Huntington is going to dump her, do they really want to watch them date, they asked. 'Are we supposed to cheer for her and that man when we know what's going to happen?' one commenter asked. Having already been stretched into three additional films and a hit musical, the prequel series is the latest reimagining. Pictured left, Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods, and right, Lexi Minetree as Elle Woods Another said: 'There is no depth to cover.' Legally Blonde has already been stretched across three films, a successful Broadway musical and countless Halloween costumes. The idea of mining the character further suggests, for some, less a hunger for storytelling and more a hunger for nostalgia-fuelled profit. 'It's just a money grab,' one viewer wrote. Others have suggested the new show is aimed at a younger demographic - perhaps those who weren't yet born when Elle first stood in her pink power suit and told the Harvard admissions board, 'What, like it's hard?' The series might bring a beloved story to Gen Z viewers who didn't experience the original in real time. And with the growing popularity of female-led coming-of-age series, perhaps the producers are hoping Elle will follow in the footsteps of shows like Gossip Girl (rebooted), The Summer I Turned Pretty and XO, Kitty. 'I think the reason we see so many sequels, prequels, remakes, live-action remakes, etc. is that our culture is stagnating, and creativity is on the decline,' said one commenter. But many have questioned whether another iteration of the Legally Blonde series is really necessary Whether the series turns out to be a fun addition to the Legally Blonde universe or simply another unnecessary spin-off, Elle Woods remains as beloved as ever. Meanwhile, filming of the new series is well underway and the cast were spotted shooting a scene in Los Angeles earlier this month. Minetree, who Reese cast as the young Elle Woods after a four-month nationwide search, was seen filming shopping scenes with her co-stars on the iconic Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Reese will executively produce the show, 24 years after starring as the well-known character in the first film. In February, Reese announced the news that Lexi got the role of Elle and in May, 2024, Reese reprised her role as Elle Woods to announce the new series. The star is developing the Legally Blonde spinoff with the help of her production company Hello Sunshine.
Geek Tyrant
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
James Van Der Beek Joins the Cast of LEGALLY BLONDE Prequel Series ELLE — GeekTyrant
Actor James Van Der Beek ( Dawson's Creek ) has joined the cast of the Legally Blonde prequel series Elle at Amazon Prime Video. Van Der Beek will appear in a recurring guest star role in the series, joined by previously announced star Lexi Minetree, who will star as Elle Woods during her high school years. The cast also includes series regulars June Diane Raphael, Tom Everett Scott, Gabrielle Policano, Jacob Moskovitz, Chandler Kinney, and Zac Looker. Recurring cast members are Jessica Belkin, Logan Shroyer, Amy Pietz, Matt Ober, Chloe Wepper, David Burtka, Brad Harde, Kayla Maisonet, and Lisa Yamada. Van Der Beek will play Dean Wilson, described as 'the city's new Mayoral candidate and current school district superintendent.' The actor's most recent TV credits include leading the Viceland series What Would Diplo Do? , as well as roles in shows like Pose at FX. In film, Van Der Beek has recently starred in features such as Sidelined: The QB and Me , Bad Hair , and Jay and Silent Bob Reboot . via: Variety
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Meet the Cast of 'Legally Blonde' Prequel Series, 'Elle'
In case you haven't heard, Legally Blonde is getting its long-awaited prequel! After decades of fans asking for more of Reese Witherspoon's Elle Woods, the sorority sister-turned-badass lawyer will finally be back on our screens in the Hello Sunshine and Amazon MGM Studios series, Elle. More from SheKnows Michael J. Fox Is Returning to Acting & the Role Will Surely Pull at Your Heartstrings Set to premiere in the summer of 2026, the series will star newcomer Lexi Minetree as Elle and follow the iconic character throughout high school. '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 official synopsis reads. 'Elle is in high school, so she's figuring out who she is as a person,' Minetree told Us Weekly at the Amazon Upfronts event on May 12. 'She definitely loves fashion still, just like she did in the movie, but I think what audiences are gonna love is that she really gets to discover herself during this time.' 'I truly couldn't be more excited about this series!' Reese Witherspoon said in the original announcement. '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. What could be better than that?!' First things first, Lexi Minetree will be playing Elle Woods. While you might not have heard her name before, her IMDb credits span back to 2016, starting with a series of short movies. Most notably, she acted in The Murdaugh Murders and in one episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. On May 15, Dawson's Creek alum James Van Der Beek was confirmed by Deadline in the show as Dean Wilson, the city's new mayoral candidate and current school district superintendent. This will be Van Der Beek's first role since opening up about her battle with colorectal cancer. On March 24, actor Tom Everett Scott was confirmed by Deadline to be playing Elle's dad, Wyatt. He's most known for his roles in movies like That Thing You Do!, Boiler Room and Because I Said So. He's also starred in many TV shows over the years, including The Summer I Turned Pretty, Philly and Reign. On March 11, Deadline announced that June Diane Raphael will be playing Elle's mom, Eva. '[Eva] is polished, pragmatic and thrives on keeping things picture-perfect,' the description of the character said. You might know Raphael from many of her previous projects like New Girl, Grace and Frankie, Burning Love and Adult Swim's NTSF:SD:SUV. Next up are a few of the actors who will be playing fellow high schoolers on the show. Per Deadline, Jacob Moskovitz, known for his roles in Y2K and Isle Child, will be playing Miles, the school's star athlete who is charmed by Elle. Actress Chandler Kinney, who starred in Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin and made it far in Dancing With the Stars season 33, will be Kimberly, a sharp-tongued senior who is not a fan of Elle. Another potential high school nemesis for Elle is Liz, played by Babygirl actress Gabrielle Policano. Liz was described in the announcement as the 'anti-Elle Woods.' Also joining the high school is Zac Looker as Dustin. Per Deadline, Dustin is Elle's classmate and sparring partner who cares about social justice and isn't afraid to challenge authority. Looker previously starred in Geek Girl, A Kind of Spark and Invasion. Actress Jessica Belkin will be a recurring character on the show as Elle's best friend, Madison. She's best known for her work in American Horror Story: Hotel, Just Add Magic and Last Straw. Logan Shroyer, who famously played teen Kevin in This Is Us from 2016 to 2022, will be Madison's cousin and Elle's crush, Josh. Also in the cast will be Amy Pietz as Donna, the 'no-nonsense high school secretary.' Pietz is most known for her roles in Caroline in the City, Rodney and Aliens in America. Also in the high school staff will be Matt Oberg, a comedic actor known for his roles in Sisters, Abbott Elementary, and Fresh Off the Boat, who will play the high school principal, Principal Anderson. The high school will also have Chloe Wepper as Ms. Burke, Elle's chemistry teacher and choreographer to the high school cheer team. Wepper is known from Good Trouble, The Rookie and Family Switch. The Bold and the Beautiful star Lisa Yamada will be playing Amber, a Bel Air high school friend in Elle's social circle. David Burtka will be playing Chad, Elle's family's neighbor. Burtka is known for his roles in How I Met Your Mother and Neil Puppet Dreams alongside his husband, Neil Patrick Harris. Brad Harder, who starred in Jingle Bell Run, Cruel Summer and Virgin River, will be playing Charlie (no details on him so far). Lastly, Kayla Maisonet will be Tiffany, a Bel Air high school friend in Elle's social circle. She's starred in a series of kids' shows like Dog With a Blog, Stuck in the Middle, and Speechless. Now that we've gotten cast out of the way, here's who will be behind the scenes making the show. Creator Laura Kittrell is co-showrunner and executive producer alongside Caroline Dries, while Reese Witherspoon, Lauren Neustadter, and Marc Platt also serve as executive producers. Jason Moore, aka the director of Pitch Perfect and Shotgun Wedding, is set to direct the first two of SheKnows 16 Movies & TV Shows That Are Excessively Violent Toward Women 90 Incredible Shows on Netflix You Should Be Watching Right Now Everything Harry & Meghan Have Done Since Leaving the Royal Family
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Legally Blonde: James Van Der Beek joins 'Legally Blonde' prequel series 'Elle'
has been cast in the upcoming series 'Elle', a prequel to the hit film ' Legally Blonde '. According to Deadline, the show will follow the life of Elle Woods in high school, exploring the experiences that shaped her into the iconic character. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The series boasts an impressive cast, including Lexi Minetree as Elle Woods, June Diane Raphael as Elle's mom Eva, and Tom Everett Scott as Elle's dad Wyatt. Other cast members include Gabrielle Policano, Jacob Moskovitz, Chandler Kinney, and Zac Looker. James Van Der Beek will recur as Dean Wilson, the city's new mayoral candidate and current school district superintendent. The series is created by Laura Kittrell and co-showrunner Caroline Dries, with , Lauren Neustadter, and Marc Platt serving as executive producers. As per Deadline, Jason Moore is set to direct the first two episodes. 'Elle' is a prequel to the original 'Legally Blonde' film, which follows Elle Woods as she navigates Harvard Law. The new series will explore Elle's high school years, providing insight into the experiences that shaped her into the confident and determined character audiences know and love.
