Oh boy, we're getting a Legally Blonde: The High School Years prequel now

The prequel epidemic has claimed another victim. Legally Blonde is the latest franchise to get the younger-years treatment, as Prime Video announced today at their upfront presentation (via Deadline). The series, titled Elle, was created by Laura Kittrell (Insecure, High School) and will be produced under Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine banner, so at least the original pink-clad prodigy is still involved.

All we know about the series thus far is that it will follow Elle in her high school days, “as we learn about the life experiences that shaped her into the iconic young woman we came to know and love in the first Legally Blonde film.” This is a bit of a bummer. Not that we really needed a new story in the first place (the musical is right there!), but if we do have to revisit this franchise, why high school? As one of our colleagues rightfully pointed out, the whole point of the original Legally Blonde film was that Elle was kind of insufferable before she gained confidence and direction in her life at Harvard. Plus, “Burgeoning Blonde Lawyer Takes Over Her High School” has already been done and it was called Clueless. And it was perfect!

Even if this never makes it to air—which is unlikely, based on its backing—we also have two other Legally Blonde titles to look forward to. In April, it was announced that Gossip Girl creators Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage were working on their own spinoff, with Witherspoon set to executive produce. That show will also air on Prime Video, making its acceptance rate a whole lot less competitive than Harvard’s. Mindy Kaling and Dan Goor have also been working on Legally Blonde 3 for several years now.

“I truly couldn’t be more excited about this series! Fans will get to know how Elle Woods navigated her world as a teenager with her distinct personality and ingenuity, in ways that only our beloved Elle could do,” Witherspoon said of Elle in a statement. “What could be better than that?!” Maybe McKenna Grace will finally get her big breakthrough role.