Casting Elle For The Legally Blonde Prequel: 10 Actors Who Could Play A Young Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon is currently looking for an actress to portray a younger version of Elle Woods in the upcoming prequel series, Elle, and the following young performers would be the ideal candidates. Announced back in May 2024, Elle is a prequel to the beloved 2001 comedy, Legally Blonde. In the series, audiences will get to see Elle before she took on Harvard Law School, getting a sneak peek at her high school self. Considering Legally Blonde's popularity, casting a new Elle Woods is going to be a risky task, but Hollywood has an abundance of talented young actresses.

There are a few elements that are vital when casting the new Elle. First and foremost, it seems important that the actress somewhat resembles the character, and Witherspoon herself. Since this is a prequel, and not a reimagining, audiences will be expecting Elle's typical blonde-haired, preppy look. On top of that, the actress will have to prove that she has the acting chops to take on a strong personality such as Elle's. However, it may also be beneficial to choose an actress that has something to prove. Either way, the following ten actors could bring something different to the role.

10 Sabrina Carpenter

An Actress With Plenty Of Personality

When thinking about popular young blonde actresses, one name that immediately comes to mind is Sabrina Carpenter. At the moment, the 25-year-old has taken the music world by storm with her latest album, Short n' Sweet. However, before her musical rise to fame, Carpenter was best known as a Disney Channel actress, getting her start on Girl Meets World. Since then, she has appeared in projects like Work It and Tall Girl.

Carpenter is an interesting case because she is at a unique point in her career. In terms of acting, her most notable roles have been in children's entertainment, but on the other hand, her music career has been much more risqué. In this way, Carpenter can certainly play a high schooler, but this may not be her prerogative at the moment. Plus, with her current concert tour, she is likely too busy to take on Elle. Regardless, she should not be counted out for big roles like this in the future due to her undeniable talent.

9 Thomasin McKenzie

A Tour De Force Actress

Unlike Carpenter, an actress you may not think of right away when considering the new Elle Woods is Thomasin McKenzie. The New Zealand actress is best-known for appearing in Jojo Rabbit and Last Night in Soho. Though McKenzie has appeared on the small screen before, none of her TV projects have found notable success. In this way, Elle could be her new claim to fame, though she would definitely have something to prove.

For the most part, McKenzie has played roles that are quite different from Elle.

For the most part, McKenzie has played roles that are quite different from Elle. In Jojo Rabbit, she is a fierce young woman, but does not have the luxury of being overtly confident or sassy. Similarly, in Last Night in Soho, she takes on a more quiet and vulnerable role. Regardless of this, McKenzie is ridiculously talented, and if given the chance, she could show that she is capable of playing a totally different kind of female character.

8 Sophie Nélisse

A Powerful Performer

The best way to find young talent is to look at the best movies and TV shows with young casts. One such project is Yellowjackets, and a perfect pick from the Yellowjackets cast is Sophie Nélisse. Nélisse is a Canadian actress who has risen to fame recently for portraying Shauna in Yellowjackets, though some might remember her earlier performance in 2013's The Book Thief. Nélisse is another actress who completely dominates the screen, even if she's never quite played a character like Elle before.

It would be incredibly interesting to see an actress like Nélisse take on the role of Elle because she is a bit unexpected. In Yellowjackets, Nélisse is fierce and tough, lacking any of the teenage frivolity that is inherent in Elle. If anything, her Yellowjackets counterpart, Jackie, is a better fit. However, giving Nélisse the role of Elle could open up an opportunity for her to showcase a different side of herself. Just looking at her, Nélisse could definitely portray a bedazzled popular girl if she needed to.

7 Angourie Rice

A High School Professional

One last unexpected pick for Elle is Angourie Rice. In 2024, Rice made a name for herself by taking on the role of Cady Heron in the movie musical Mean Girls. Before that, she appeared in Honor Society, alongside Gaten Matarazzo, and the 2018 sci-fi romance, Every Day. Although Rice does not have the typical blonde appearance of Elle Woods, she certainly has the acting experience to make the part work.

Despite being 24-years-old, Rice has proven again and again that she can ace the role of a high school student. Not only that, but she can transform these characters' personalities in interesting ways. As Cady, Rice is awkward and adorable. In Honor Society, she is ambitious and slightly devious. In this way, Rice could certainly embody Elle's determination while also channeling her popular girl attitude. Plus, Elle could truly put Rice's name on the map.

6 Kathryn Newton

An Established Star

Although it would be nice to see Elle utilize more unknown actresses, one established actress that could ace the role is Kathryn Newton. Newton has been in the acting game for quite a long time, racking up roles in movies and television, including Supernatural, Freaky, Abigail, and Lisa Frankenstein. Newton has proven that she can play dark, weird, and naive, so Elle would be a welcome change for the actress.

The thing that makes Newton such a great candidate is that she's completely likable. No matter what role she takes on, she is able to captivate audiences and make them root for her. Through her rough exterior, she has a heart of gold and a perfect sense of relatability. This is ideal for Elle who, despite all her fashion and energy, is just another young woman. Newton could definitely bring the humanity to Elle Woods.

5 Peyton List

A Rising TV Star

Another Disney Channel alum who could take on the role of Elle is Peyton List. After getting her start on the Disney Channel series, Jessie, List took on various minor roles in movies, and continued making a name for herself in children's entertainment. More recently, though, List has proven her talent in the leading role of the Paramount+ series, School Spirits,and this could just be the start of an impressive adult career.

School Spirits season 2 premieres on February 3, 2025.

Not only does List have the typical blonde look of Elle, but she also portrayed a hyper-feminine, slightly oblivious young woman for much of her career. In Jessie, List got plenty of practice at playing this type of character who is both flawed and admirable. Now, Elle could be a new version of that, with more maturity and depth. Plus, List's experience on School Spirits has proven that she can do drama as well, giving her all the tools for a successful dramedy.

4 Emma Myers

The Up-And-Comer

Another young actress who only recently made her TV debut is Emma Myers. The American actress first entered the spotlight in 2022 when she portrayed the werewolf Enid in Wednesday. From there, Myers transitioned to the murder mystery, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, yet the actress still has plenty to prove to audiences. Arguably, Elle could be the perfect opportunity to show that she is just as good at being a star as she is a sidekick.

Myers is a strong contender on this list because she is one of the youngest of them all. Elle is supposed to be set in high school, and though Hollywood has a record of casting older actors as teenagers, Myers would be a good happy medium. Though not an actual high schooler, she still evokes a sense of youth. Furthermore, Myers has shown in Wednesday that she can bring the positive energy that Elle needs to exude, and not every actress can say the same.

3 Meg Donnelly

An Underrated Gem

One actress who is perfect for Elle, but who may have gone under audiences' radar, is Meg Donnelly. Yet another Disney alum, Donnelly rose to fame in 2018 when she starred in the Disney Channel musical movie, Zombies.This franchise sustained her for several years until 2022, when she took on a leading role in The Winchesters, which unfortunately, was canceled after only one season. In this way, Donnelly deserves another chance to show that she can go beyond Disney original movies.

Donnelly would also be a strong contender because she isn't super well known.

Donnelly is another actress who has the perfect look for Elle Woods and the resume to prove it. She is blonde, beautiful, and played the preppy cheerleader type in Zombies that would be ideal for Elle. Donnelly would also be a strong contender because she isn't super well known. Where other actresses may overcrowd the show with their reputations, Donnelly is something of a blank slate, which means audiences can truly attach her to Elle rather than any other character.

2 Kiernan Shipka

Born For A New Franchise

When it comes to experienced young actresses, none have the resume of Kiernan Shipka. The 25-year-old's career began in the early 2000s when she played Don Draper's daughter in Mad Men. From there, she transitioned into more young adult content, taking on the leading role in The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. More recently, she has appeared in major projects such as Longlegs, The Last Showgirl, and Totally Killer.All in all, Shipka is on an acting role and Elle would be the cherry on top.

Once again, Shipka's casting would prevent a more unknown actress from getting the role, but it would also guarantee that an experienced and talented performer leads the new series. Although Elle will already garner plenty of viewers due to its source material, Shipka herself could also persuade viewers to watch the show. All in all, Shipka has a great personality and would be incredibly likable as Elle Woods.

1 Mckenna Grace

A Mini Reese Witherspoon

Last but not least, one of the best options to play the new Elle Woods is McKenna Grace. Grace is an 18-year-old actress who has appeared in The Handmaid's Tale, the Ghostbusters franchise, and Young Sheldon. In comparison to the other women on this list, Grace is the perfect mix of popular and under the radar. Though she has taken on at least one significant franchise role so far, she may still be relatively new to audiences, giving her the chance to really embody Elle.

On top of that, Grace has the perfect look for Elle. She could most definitely be compared to a young Reese Witherspoon, and she has a personality that could convey both girl-next-door and popular mean girl. Ultimately, balancing on this line is vital for whoever plays Elle. Grace has the talent to lead a highly-anticipated TV show, and has just the right energy to make Elle a success.