Hollywood stars often turn down movie roles without properly delving into the script or anticipating the success of the film, only to regret it later. Something similar happened to Christina Applegate, when she revealed how she made a “big f*cking mistake” and rejected Reese Witherspoon’s Legally Blonde, when it came her way.
Although it is now hard to imagine Elle Woods as anyone other than Reese Witherspoon, it was initially Christina Applegate who was approached to play the character. Revealed in 2015, during an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Applegate discussed why she refused to appear in Legally Blonde, only to regret it later.
Christina Applegate Was Approached To Play Elle Woods
Christina Applegate who is known for playing Kelly Bundy on the Fox sitcom Married With Children, came very close to bending and snapping, as she was initially offered the role of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde. Speaking with Entertainment Tonight, the actress mentioned how the 2001 film’s lead role, which ended up being a star-making turn for Reese Witherspoon, was initially hers.
“The script came along my way and it was right after I had just finished, Married […with Children], and it was a blonde who in that first script didn’t win it but ends up going to Yale, or Harvard, I don’t remember.”
Irrespective of how difficult it sounds to think of anyone but Reese Witherspoon in the role of Elle Woods, Christina Applegate mentioned making a “big f*cking mistake” when she turned down the offer. Regretting to date, the actress opened up about the opportunity during her interview in 2015.
Explaining why she refused the role that later went to Reese Witherspoon, Applegate mentioned, “I got scared of kind of repeating myself.” Although it’s quite understandable why she was hesitant to play another ditzy blonde as she did for 10 years on Married With Children, the actress struggled to accept her loss.
Christina Applegate Turned Down Reese Witherspoon’s Movie
Admitting this during the interview, Christina Applegate mentioned turning down the role of Elle Woods was not her wisest decision. Witnessing the grand success of the film, Applegate claimed how her predictions turned her down, leading her to lose the opportunity.
“What a stupid move that was, right?”
However, eventually, Applegate admitted how her loss turned into a great opportunity for Reese Witherspoon. The actress thus praised Witherspoon for her brilliant performance in the 2001 movie. “Reese deserved that. She did a much better job than I ever could, and so that’s her life. That’s her path” Applegate confessed.
Nonetheless, turning down Legally Blonde wasn’t all that bad for Christina Applegate, for the actress landed the hilarious role of Debbie Griswold in Vacation. And not to mention the strange twist of fate, that led both Witherspoon and Applegate to play sisters to Jennifer Aniston’s Rachel on FRIENDS.
Watch Legally Blonde on Amazon Video.
Source: Entertainment Tonight
