Reese Witherspoon’s production company, Hello Sunshine, and Amazon MGM Studios are close to finalizing the casting for the highly anticipated Legally Blonde prequel series, which will explore the early years of Elle Woods. Witherspoon, who made Elle Woods an iconic character in the 2001 hit film and its 2003 sequel, is excited to revisit the character’s pre-college life, before she became the law student we know and love.
According to Deadline, two rising stars, Madison Wolfe and Lexi Minetree, have auditioned for the role of the young Elle Woods. Wolfe, known for her roles in True Detective, Mayfair Witches, and The Conjuring 2, and Minetree, who has appeared in The Murdaugh Murders, Law & Order: SVU, and My Amish Double Life, both resemble Witherspoon and have impressive acting portfolios. While a final decision is yet to be made, sources indicate that the casting decision is likely to come soon.
During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Witherspoon shared her enthusiasm about the audition process, admitting that she has seen “so many tapes” and found it “so fun to watch.” She also revealed that Wednesday, Netflix’s hit show starring Jenna Ortega, inspired her to create a prequel for Elle Woods. Witherspoon is particularly excited to explore Elle’s high school years and the experiences that shaped her before her journey to Harvard Law School.
The prequel series, which will be overseen by showrunner Laura Kittrell, will focus on Elle Woods’ high school life, shedding light on the events that led her to pursue a career in law. This deep dive into Elle’s early years will give fans a fresh perspective on the character and her growth before she became the confident and savvy lawyer we all adore. Both Wolfe and Minetree have the potential to bring a youthful energy to the character, and it will be exciting to see who ultimately lands the role.