Legally Blonde 3: Mindy Kaling Reveals Why The Film Is Taking So Long
Legally Blonde 3 writer Mindy Kaling explains why the third film in the franchise is taking so long. Released in 2001, Legally Blonde quickly became a cult classic and helped to solidify Reese Witherspoon as a pop culture icon. Directed by Robert Luketic, Legally Blonde follows Elle Woods (Witherspoon), a perky sorority girl who enrolls in Harvard Law School in an attempt to win back her boyfriend. Learning life lessons and overcoming stereotypes along the way, Elle makes unexpected friends with Paulette (Jennifer Coolidge) and falls in love with Emmett (Luke Wilson).
Dominating the box office upon its initial release, Legally Blonde spawned a sequel, Legally Blonde: Red, White & Blonde. Following Elle in her new career in Washington, the sequel appeared to be the final chapter of Elle’s journey. However, in 2018, Witherspoon announced she would don her character’s pink wardrobe again in Legally Blonde 3. Written by Kaling and Dan Goor, Legally Blonde 3 was originally slated for a May 2022 release date. So far, Kaling and Witherspoon have offered small updates on the highly anticipated film, but major plot details have been kept under wraps. Now, Kaling opens up about why the third film is still in development.
Per TIME, Kaling reveals Legally Blonde 3 is taking a long time to write because she wants to get the story right and do justice to the original film and its sequel. Kaling stated that the third film will explore Elle Woods in her 40s and will acknowledge that the world has changed since the debut of Legally Blonde. Kaling admits that penning Elle in a new era has been challenging, but promises she will keep the character fun. Check out Kaling's full quote below:
We don’t want to be responsible for ruining what’s basically Reese’s Avengers franchise. What is Elle Woods like at 42? Does she end up becoming all the things she wanted? How does that personality manifest in a grown woman? Has she become more cynical? Her brightness and her cheerfulness really worked when she was 22, but how has life changed her perspective on things? We’re not afraid of the character in this world, and we don’t feel we have to apologize for her. As a fan, I didn’t want to watch her be canceled or become a Karen. So the character is just fun. That’s what’s been interesting and challenging—and why it’s taking us such a long time to write.
For now, it remains to be seen who will reprise their roles from the original films. Wilson has said he would happily appear in Legally Blonde 3, but has yet to confirm his return as Emmett. Fans can expect to see more of Elle and Paulette’s friendship in Legally Blonde 3, as Witherspoon recently teased that Coolidge will be featured significantly in the film. Of course, it appears Kaling has been hard at work fleshing out the next chapter of Elle's story. Kaling wants to ensure that fans see Elle as an evolved version of herself, rather than the character attempting to catch up in a new decade, which could make Elle uncomfortable to watch.
Kaling and Witherspoon continue to dole out hints about the storyline for Legally Blonde 3 and an MGM executive even said that viewers will see Elle Woods as a parent. Showing Elle as a mom with a thriving career would certainly leave the door open for the bubbly yet determined character to overcome any hurdles that may come her way. Legally Blonde 3 certainly has a lot to tackle in the life of Elle Woods two decades later. For now, Kaling is doing her best to make sure Legally Blonde 3 will be worth the wait.
Source: TIME