Legally Blonde Prequel Sequence Elle Is ‘Formally Canon’ With The Film, EPs Verify — Here is How They Made Positive ‘Every part Tracked’ – TVLine

Earlier than she was “Legally Blonde,” she was simply… “Elle.” 

Now streaming on Prime Video, the brand new prequel collection introduces viewers to a 16-year-old model of Reese Witherspoon’s iconic character (now performed by look-alike Lexi Minetree). The present’s preliminary announcement was met with skepticism from followers of the unique 2001 film, with many refusing to simply accept Elle’s new backstory as canon. Sadly for these followers, it is Witherspoon’s opinion that issues — and she or he says that is precisely the way it all occurred.

“It was Reese’s concept to do a present about Elle Woods in highschool, so she entrusted [co-showrunner Laura Kittrell] to create the pilot, and she or he has embraced what we have provide you with,” co-showrunner Caroline Dries tells TVLine. “So I’d say, sure, it is formally canon now.”

In adapting teen Elle’s story for streaming, the present’s artistic staff had two challenges forward of them: pay homage to the whole lot followers already love about Elle’s story, however do not undo any of the lore beforehand established in “Legally Blonde.”

“We have been very conscious of creating certain the whole lot tracked and in addition arrange the film completely,” Kittrell says. “There was by no means something we needed to do this fought what individuals love in regards to the film, tonally, and even from a narrative place.”

An early instance of this comes within the present’s first episode when Elle meets Bruiser, the long-lasting rescue chihuahua who’s nonetheless by her facet in “Legally Blonde.” Elle’s mother mentions that she discovered him close to their neighbor Aaron Spelling’s home, which itself is a nod to certainly one of Elle’s strains within the film about rising up subsequent door to the tv pioneer.

Elle’s backstory takes a tough left when her father’s job forces their household to relocate from Bel-Air to Seattle, the place Elle should navigate a socially international panorama. Much less pink, extra plaid. Much less Madonna, extra Nirvana. You get the thought. In a sea of alt rebels, Elle the odd woman out, and it will take the whole lot she’s acquired to win over her new friends.

Here is the half the place you is likely to be asking: Wait a minute, is not that eerily just like the plot of “Legally Blonde,” solely this time in Seattle as an alternative of Boston? You are not incorrect, and the producers are nicely conscious of this. What’s extra vital, they are saying, is how Elle’s early classes form her into the assured lady who effortlessly crushes these comparable challenges sooner or later.

For instance, Elle is invited to her first Seattle pool social gathering in Episode 3, displaying up in a vibrant pink bikini. Sadly, she quickly discovers that “pool social gathering” means one thing else totally in Seattle; not solely is she the one particular person in a washing go well with, however the pool has been drained for the needs of skateboarding. Not solely is that this a nod to “Legally Blonde,” when Elle exhibits as much as a supposed “costume social gathering” dressed like a Playboy Bunny, however it’s additionally an expertise that prepares Elle for that future problem.

“Within the film, she exhibits up within the bunny costume and takes a second to really feel unhealthy about herself, then instantly gathers herself and goes in with full confidence,” co-showrunner Laura Kittrell tells TVLine, noting that teenage Elle has a significantly extra panicked response to the same state of affairs. “We talked lots about the way you get to that place while you’re her age, and we thought, nicely, it’s important to fall flat in your face one time and really feel unhealthy earlier than you will get to be that assured particular person. … The pool social gathering is not fairly what she imagined, and she or he has a distinct response than she does within the film.”

Not solely was it Reese Witherspoon’s concept to discover her character’s teenage years, however the govt producer additionally handpicked Lexi Minetree to play Elle Woods, and she or he has maintained an lively position all through manufacturing of “Elle.”

“Truthfully, she’s been so supportive all through this complete course of, which implies a lot as a result of she is Elle Woods,” Minetree tells TVLine. “She’s what made this film iconic for 25 years now, so the truth that I can textual content her or voice memo her at any level within the day and ask her for recommendation, both in regards to the character or simply life, is completely unimaginable.”

Whereas Witherspoon has offered “so many nuggets of inspiration” for her portrayal of Elle, Minetree says probably the most useful knowledge she’s imparted has to do with caring for your self as an individual.

“Whenever you movie a TV present like this, it is actually loopy,” Minetree explains. “You are on set for 15 hours a day, and it’s important to prep while you get dwelling, and it’s important to dye your hair each three weeks, and all this stuff you do not even actually take into consideration that simply take up power and time. So I am not solely fortunate that I acquired to have her there as a mentor, but in addition these fantastic castmates right here with me who I really like very, very a lot.”

OK, let’s speak: What are your early ideas on “Elle”? And the way far into your Season 1 binge are you? Grade it in our ballot under, then drop a remark together with your full evaluation.