“Whoever said orange is the new pink was seriously disturbed.”
Who else remembers watching Legally Blonde for the first time like it was yesterday? If you are anything like us, you’re probably still quoting its lines from memory, and so you’ll be surprised to hear that the iconic film premiered almost 20 years ago.
Now, two decades after they originally filmed the movie, the cast of Legally Blonde reunited for the very first time. On Tuesday, Reese Witherspoon hosted a virtual reunion on her Hello Sunshine YouTube channel, moderated by Saturday Night Live’s Chloe Fineman, to raise money for World Central Kitchen.
The reunion brought together Witherspoon, who played Elle Woods, Jennifer Coolidge (Paulette Bonafonté), Selma Blair (Vivian Kensington), Matthew Davis (Warner Huntington III), Luke Wilson (Emmett Richmond), Ali Larter (Brooke Taylor Windham), and more members of the original cast.
Discussing some of their favorite memories from the film and their experiences bringing the characters to life, they all agreed that they never predicted the impact it would have when they were cast. At the start of the video, Witherspoon notes that of all the films she's done, Legally Blonde is the one most talked about by fans.
“I don’t think any of us knew what this film was going to turn out to be or how it would inspire young women and young people across the world,” the actress said. “I’ve traveled the entire world and always, always the movie that people stop me about is Legally Blonde.” She went on to explain that she thinks the film’s impact is thanks to her character, Elle Woods, who “inspires people to believe in themselves.”
“The thing that actually touches my heart is that more people stop me and say, 'I went to law school because of Elle Woods,'” she said.
In fact, the film had such an impact on fans that Davis, who played Elle’s high school sweetheart, Warner, claims he is still taking heat for breaking her heart. “For years and years people would say ‘You’re that a–hole from Legally Blonde!’” he said before Witherspoon came to his defense. “I’m here to tell people Matthew Davis is the nicest person! He was just playing a character,” she chimed in.
The experience was a turning point for many of the young stars at the time, including Witherspoon, who was just 24 at the time. “This was my college, you guys,” she said. “This is where I went to college. I didn’t finish college but I finished Legally Blonde.” Her dedication clearly paid off, as she is one of Hollywood’s most notable actresses.
She is still humble, though, and applauded her former castmates: “We all got together and made this movie together that inspired so many young people and it’s just such a gift. Every time people come up to me and tell me they love this movie, I give it all to you, I share it all with you.”
And to top things off, Witherspoon wrapped up the reunion by announcing the premiere date for Legally Blonde 3. The third film in the franchise, which is being written by Mindy Kaling and Dan Goor, will be released in May 2022. MGM Studios has confirmed that Witherspoon will be returning to reprise her role as Elle, though details on the plot have not yet been revealed.
Let the countdown begin! In meantime, watch the Legally Blonde reunion video below.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/-GNIeKHvv_o
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