Reese Witherspoon beat out a hoard of blonde Hollywood bombshells for the chance to star in the comedy Legally Blonde. The film premiered on July 13, 2001, and became an instant classic, which grossed more than 140 million dollars at the box office.
Legally Blonde follows fashion-merchandising-major-turned-law-student Elle Woods as she relocates from sunny California to study at Harvard. It's not a smooth transition for Elle, the embodiment of SoCal culture, but she rises to the top and works a high profile trial.
Legally Blonde co-stars Luke Wilson, Selma Blair, Ali Larter, Matthew Davis, Jennifer Coolidge, and Victor Garber. Its success spurred two sequels and a Broadway musical. Reese Witherspoon was in talks with MGM Studios to produce the third installment, rumored to drop May 8, 2020!
15 Reese Witherspoon Had Written In Her Contract That She Got To Keep All Elle's Outfits
In a recent update on social media, Reese Witherspoon assured fans of Elle Woods that her wardrobe is safe and well protected. One of the lines in Witherspoon's contract stated that the iconic closet became hers. Witherspoon gained more than 60 outfits, which she keeps boxed in tissue paper and sealed in storage.
14 Amanda Brown's Novel Legally Blonde Inspired The Film
Producer Marc Platt sought the rights for Amanda Brown's book, Legally Blonde, after reading the unpublished manuscript. The novel was released two weeks before the movie, in July 2001. Classified as young adult fiction, Brown wrote letters to her parents about her experiences from her time at Stanford Law School, which she compiled and sent to an editor.
13 The Original Ending Tested Poorly With Audiences Which Led To The Addition Of The Graduation Scene
The original film had an abrupt ending. It concluded after a victorious Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) emerges from the courthouse, and the screen faded to white. Test audiences weren't satisfied and felt it left too many storylines unresolved. Pickups were shot in London since Witherspoon was there filming The Importance Of Being Earnest.
12 Elle Magazine Inspired The Main Character's Name
Author Amanda Brown wrote a fictional story based on her experiences. It only fits that her imaginary heroine, a perky sorority president, is named after a fashion and beauty magazine. That's right, Elle Magazine is the namesake for the beloved Elle Woods from Legally Blonde.
11 Chloe Sevigny Turned Down The Role Of Vivian
It's impossible to imagine anyone other than Selma Blair playing the role of Vivian Kensington, the "Jackie" to Elle's "Marilyn." The part was offered initially to Chloe Sevigny, who turned it down. Selma Blair and Reese Witherspoon previously appeared together in 1999's Cruel Intentions. Blair played the uptight part perfectly.
10 The "Ovester" Debate Is Based On A Real Conversation At A Women's Rights Meeting
"That's why I'm petitioning for next semester be referred to as the winter overster." The inspiration for the scene came from a real meeting Brown attended at Stanford. The word "semester" means "six month period" and comes from the same Latin root (ova) meaning month and the same basis (mensis), so Enid's argument doesn't work!
9 To Research His Role, Matthew Davis Read A Presidential Biography
For the role of pretentious Warner Huntington III, Matthew Davis read the biography of former president George W. Bush, who earned a master's from Harvard Business School. At dinner, Warner said to Elle he wanted to be a senator before his 30th birthday. What better way to research the role than studying the actions of a president?
8 Reese Witherspoon Gave Birth Six Months Before Filming
Reese Witherspoon won the role of Elle Woods before her first pregnancy became public knowledge. Six months before shooting began, Witherspoon gave birth to her first child with ex-husband, Ryan Phillippe, a daughter named Ava. She said it took a lot of work with a trainer to prepare for the role. She looks flawless!
7 Though Set At Harvard Law, The Original Book Took Place At The Author's Real Alma Mater
In the early stages of production, the filmmakers reached out to Stanford and the University of California for the setting of Legally Blonde. Both institutions rejected the request, partially due to the stereotypes associated with sorority culture the film promoted. Producers and the director settled on Harvard Law.
6 Costume Designer Sophie De Rakoff Decided On Elle's Signature Color After Spending Time In A Sorority House
Early in the production for Legally Blonde, Reese Witherspoon and costume designer Sophie de Rakoff visited a sorority house to observe the girls and their behaviors. After a couple of trips, the two women knew that Elle's signature color had to be pink, a central theme in the sorority house.
5 The Number Of Women Enrolled In Law School Increased After The Film's Release
In multiple interviews, Reese Witherspoon has recounted the lasting impact her role in Legally Blonde had. She said at least once a week she has women walk up to her and say Elle Woods was their inspiration behind going to law school. Elle Woods became an icon for embracing power and femininity.
4 The Movie Wasn't Permitted To Film At Harvard
Harvard University is an elite institution and rarely permits Hollywood productions on campus. Although the film includes aerial shots of Harvard, all the campus scene filming took place in Pasadena at Rose City High School, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Rose City High School, and California Institute of Technology.
3 Elle Woods Has a Different Hairstyle In Every Scene
Much like the revolving door of outfits, Elle Woods has a different hairstyle in almost every scene of Legally Blonde. Ponytails, updos, braids. You name it, Elle sports it. Patient viewers have gone scene by scene to count the number of hairstyles, finding out she wears her hair more than forty ways.
2 There Is No On-Screen Kiss Between Elle And The Romantic Lead
Legally Blonde is an iconic feminist film. Elle Woods is a strong woman who refuses to let anyone determine what she can do! She forms strong sisterhoods. She scored a near-perfect score on her LSAT exam. One of the best parts, however, is that Elle never kisses Warner (Davis) or Emmett (Luke Wilson) on-screen.
1 The Bend And Snap Almost Didn't Happen
Even people who haven't seen Legally Blonde know about the Bend and Snap. The writers wanted to develop a subplot for Paulette (Jennifer Coolidge) in the film. After pitching each other a lot of discarded scenes, someone spontaneously performed the iconic move. They built from there and ended up choreographing an entire routine!