Let me ask you something—do you really think anyone can spend a weekend without rewatching Legally Blonde? Be honest now. If you said no, I'm calling shenanigans because we all know how much we adore this movie. To be fair, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve watched it, but it’s definitely in the millions. And let’s be real, we practically have every line memorized. So when I heard that the movie almost ended in a completely different way, I was floored. Like, seriously, floored. Thankfully, test audiences weren’t fans of the alternate ending, and we can all breathe a sigh of relief. In a recent chat with Entertainment Weekly, the movie’s co-writer Karen McCullah spilled the tea on what could have been.
Here's What Could Have Been: The Original Finale
Now, buckle up because this is a doozy. Originally, the film was supposed to wrap up right after Elle Woods (played by the magnificent Reese Witherspoon) nails the trial. Picture this: everyone's celebrating her victory, and Emmett (played by Luke Wilson) swoops in for the big romantic kiss. But wait, there's more. There was supposed to be a little bonus scene set a year later. In this version, Elle and her newly blonde friend Vivian kick off the Blonde Legal Defense Fund, handing out pamphlets on the Harvard campus. But here’s the kicker—McCullah explained that this kiss made the movie feel like a typical rom-com. And let’s face it, Legally Blonde is so much more than just a love story. It’s about empowerment, resilience, and, of course, Elle’s journey to prove that being a blonde bombshell doesn’t mean you’re lacking brains.
View this post on InstagramWith a heavy heart, I have to let all the #LegallyBlonde fans know that Bruiser Woods (also known as Moonie) passed away yesterday. He was a sweet little Chihuahua who was deeply loved. I will never forget all the days we spent together … I'm sure his tail is wagging in the sky. Sending love to his trainer, the wonderful @tailsticks #RIPBruiser 💔
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The Making of the Graduation Speech
McCullah also shared that she, along with director Robert Luketic and producer Marc Platt, spent countless hours crafting Elle’s iconic graduation speech. "The entire movie was meticulously written over the span of two years, through multiple drafts. But the ending? That came together rather quickly," she revealed. Can you imagine the pressure of wrapping up such a beloved film? It’s no small feat, and they absolutely nailed it.
The Challenges of Filming the New Ending
Now, here’s where things get interesting. Shooting the revised graduation scene wasn’t exactly a walk in the park. By the time they decided to reshoot the ending, the cast was scattered all over the globe, working on other projects. Reese Witherspoon was in England filming The Importance of Being Earnest, and guess what? She had cut her hair, so they had to put her in a wig. Meanwhile, Luke Wilson had shaved his head for his role in The Royal Tenenbaums, so he had to wear a wig too. Talk about resourcefulness. McCullah recounted, “We shot the entire graduation scene in London, but all the reaction shots were filmed on a soundstage in Burbank. If you pay close attention, you’ll notice the lighting is slightly different. But in the end, the new conclusion was infinitely more satisfying.”
This story was crafted by Polly Foreman and originally appeared on our sister site, Heat World.
