In the wake of her box-office success with "Legally Blonde," Reese Witherspoon is poised for a big pay-hike for her next film, Variety reports.

The actress received $1 million for "Legally Blonde," but is seeking a raise to as high as $5 million for Touchstone's romantic comedy "Sweet Home Alabama," the report said.

Witherspoon proved her box-office mettle with "Cruel Intentions" and earned critical raves for her part in "Election," but it's "Legally Blonde's" unexpectedly strong showing against heavy summer competition that will likely inflate her salary.

"Sweet Home Alabama," which takes its title from the classic rock anthem by Lynyrd Skynyrd, would cast Witherspoon as a southern woman who abandons her husband to start a new life in New York.

Andy Tennent ("Anna And The King," "Ever After") is to direct the project.

Witherspoon recently cut a deal to star in a revival of the female detective yarn "Honey West."


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