Reese Witherspoon (Elle Woods)
Sally Field (Rep. Rudd)
Bob Newhart (Sidney Post)
Luke Wilson (Emmett Richmond)
Jennifer Coolidge (Paulette)
Regina King (Grace Stoteraux)
Alanna Ubach (Serena McGuire)
Behind the camera:
Producer:
Reese Witherspoon
Screenwriters: Karen McCullah Lutz, Kirsten Smith Kate Kondell
Plot:
The next chapter in the life of Elle Woods, America's newest lawyer.
UPDATE:
MGM has hired Eve Ahlert and Dennis Drake (TV's "The Nanny") to pen the script, based on an idea from Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith, the original screenwriters of the film.
Witherspoon will oversee script development and pending the script, would star in the film. If so, she would receive a cool $5 million to join.
UPDATE:
Director Robert Luketic confirmed to E! Online (http://www.eonline.com) that a script for the sequel to "Legally Blonde" is in the works, and will be presented to producer and possible returning star Reese Witherspoon soon.
The plot has Witherspoon's character, Elle, as a new Harvard Law Grad heading to Washington D.C. and teaching them how to have, well, some fun. "We're going to wait to see what the material is. Ultimately, it's the screenplay that will decide, because we don't want to bring shame on the first one, like many productions do," said
Luketic.
UPDATE:
9/5/02: Witherspoon To Return In 'Blonde 2'
Reese Witherspoon has reportedly signed a $15-million deal to appear in Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, & Blonde. The plot of the film
was described this way in a studio news release: "Pretty-in-pink lawyer Elle Woods heads off to Washington to accessorize her
rights, take on the political establishment, and initiate legislation in the name of her beloved dog, Bruiser."
Witherspoon Goes 'Red, White, and Blonde'
Variety reports that Reese Witherspoon will receive $15 million from MGM to reprise her role as a bubbly blonde sorority girl turned
lawyer extraordinaire in Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde. The project is now out to directors, as original director Robert
Luketic has passed to work on two projects for DreamWorks. Witherspoon will make her biggest payday to date for the film, which finds her
character Elle Woods running for political office. MGM hopes to begin filming in November for a July 2003 release.
UPDATE:
Sequel rights: 'Stein' director prefers 'Blonde'
LOS ANGELES (The Hollywood Reporter By Chris Gardner and Zorianna Kit) --- Helmer Charles Herman-Wurmfeld, who made his feature directorial debut on the Fox Searchlight romantic comedy "Kissing Jessica Stein," has closed a deal to direct Reese Witherspoon in MGM's "Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde."
The Kate Kondell-penned project is on a fast track at MGM after the studio recently closed a deal with "Legally Blonde" star Witherspoon to reprise her role in the sequel as Elle Woods for $15 million. A November start is being prepped.
The sequel sees Witherspoon's Woods head to Washington to battle politicos after her triumphant -- and surprising -- success as a Beverly Hills sorority girl-turned-Harvard Law School graduate.
Marc Platt is producing through his Universal Pictures-based Marc Platt Prods. along with Witherspoon, who is producing through her Intermedia Film-based Type A Films. Elizabeth Ingold is overseeing for MGM.
Herman-Wurmfeld's deal to direct the sequel is not entirely surprising considering that he directed the television pilot based on the film for MGM TV and Touchstone TV. "Legally Blonde" the series is still in contention for a midseason pickup at ABC.
Herman-Wurmfeld's "Stein" proved to be a boxoffice success for Searchlight. The film -- which follows the unlikely courtship between two young New York women -- cost less than $800,000 to make and has grossed north of $7 million at the domestic boxoffice.
Since "Stein," Herman-Wurmfeld has directed TV's "The Facts of Life Reunion."
UPDATE:
From FilmJerk: It's possible this new film might feature an almost entirely new cast, as the setting appears to be drastically different enough not to necessarily need any other characters to return besides Reese as Elle. Also, "Variety" reports today that Ms. Witherspoon (who is also producing) will receive a $15 million salary for this film, her career high, and just shy of the $18 million of the first movie's entire production budget (for which she earned just $1 million!).
As those who have seen the surprise hit Legally Blonde know, Reese Witherspoon's Elle Woods graduated with honors from Harvard and was engaged to hunky studmuffin Emmett (played by Luke Wilson). In the about to shoot sequel, Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde, Elle puts her wedding on hold and heads for Washington D.C. in an effort to get an animals testing bill passed. She is galvanized into action after learning that her beloved dog's birth parents are being held at a lab for testing by a cosmetic company, and will be unable to attend her own wedding, unless she does something right away.
As Elle needs to find a place to live in Washington, she naturally moves into the Watergate complex, where she befriends Sidney Post. Arthritic and in his late 60s, with an eternally-crooked bow tie, he is the longtime doorman at the Watergate apartment complex where Elle has rented a place to stay. A grandfatherly type who knows more about the workings of Washington than most politicians, he is befriended by Elle who soon comes to rely on his expertise, insights and observations. Not only does he know how to get a bill on the floor, he knows the idiosyncrasies of pretty much everyone on Capitol Hill. He helps Elle with everything from Congressional protocol to picking out bridesmaid dresses.
At the beginning, Elle works for Congresswoman Victoria Rudd. Tall, regal, elegant and blonde, Mrs. Rudd is an admirer of Elle's, and tells her that Washington could use a few more like her. Delighted to have Elle on board as a legislative aide, she explains to her other wary aides that Elle will be working on the animal testing bill, a bill she has long backed herself. However, this quintessential politician sorely disappoints Elle when she withdraws her backing for the bill, all part of an effort to see another law on education given the votes it needs. Elle also must deal with Grace Stoteraux. Grace is in her early 30s and works at the Chief of Staff for Congresswoman Rudd, A woman with a tough exterior and the ambition to match, Grace is clearly displeased when Elle is hired to work on the animal testing bill, she had long considered that bill hers. Openly mocking of Elle, whose cubicle looks more like a wedding coordinator's office, she is a hardened, rather cynical lady who has little time for Elle's enthusiastic idealism.
On the other side of the aisle, Elle has to deal with Congresswoman Morgan Holland. In her 50s, with zero sense of humor, Mrs. Holland is all business. The only splash of color comes from her hair; Holland is a brazen redhead. Renowned for her toughness, she has no interest in backing Elle's silly bill banning animal testing for cosmetics. She and Elle are practically at each other's throats in the hair salon where Holland is having her hair done. However, all animosity quickly evaporates when the two discover they are both former Delta Nu Sorority Sisters. In fact, Holland is very impressed when she realizes that Elle is none other than "the girl who kicked Harvard Law in the pants." She quickly pledges her support for the bill, particularly after Elle shows her some solid demographics regarding the people in her district.
Elle also befriends Congressman Stanford Marks, a true Southern gentleman Elle first sees walking his poodle, A conservative Republican and NRA spokesman. he and Elle share some heartfelt moments after both learn from the dog spa receptionist that their pets are gay. Unable to stay in the "closet," Congressman Marks makes a statement to the House, nervously explaining that his dog is gay, and that he couldn't be prouder of the "little flamer." He becomes a strong supporter of Elle's animal testing bill.
Charles Herman-Wurmfeld, the director of Kissing Jessica Stein who recently helmed the pilot for the Legally Blonde TV series, will guide the film. Shooting begins in November in Los Angeles and Washington DC. If you feel you are qualified to portray one of these roles, contact the production company directly.
UPDATE:
Filming is scheduled to begin in November 2002.
UPDATE:
(10/28/02) Comedy legend (especially as a stand up and on TV) Bob Newhart is the first name to sign on after Witherspoon,
in the prominent role as the elderly doorman of the Watergate Hotel where Elle stays. This is Bob's first feature film in six years,
since 1997's In & Out.
UPDATE:
YAHOO received word that MGM is planning on getting a teaser trailer (possibly with little actual footage from the film)
in theaters next Friday, attached to their film, Die Another Day.
UPDATE:
Sally Field, who reprises her ER role Thursday, is heading from the hospital to Capitol Hill. Field is in negotiations to star as Congresswoman Rudd in director Charles Herman-Wurmfeld's Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde opposite Reese Witherspoon. Production is set to begin this month, with Field -- whose dates are still being worked out -- due to begin lensing her part in December. In Blonde, Field will star as a politico who befriends Witherspoon's Elle Woods and winds up as a mentor to her. The duo's relationship is tested, however, when they must battle it out over a piece of animal rights legislation. Kate Kondell penned the screenplay. Regina King and Luke Wilson also star. Marc Platt is producing through his Universal Pictures-based Marc Platt Prods. along with Witherspoon, who is producing through her Universal-based Type A Films. Elizabeth Ingold is overseeing for MGM. Field, who is repped by CAA and manager Judy Hofflund, is starring in the critically acclaimed Broadway success The Goat, by Edward Albee. She will segue to Blonde after the play wraps in mid-December. Her recurring role on ER as Maggie Wyczenski won her an Emmy for guest actress in a drama series last year.
UPDATE:
Kate Kondell is getting sole screenwriting credit. Eve Ahlert and Dennis Drake (writing team of Down with Love) are now sharing story credit with
Kondell.
