Latest news with #LexiMinetree
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
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.
