Plans for a sequel to "Legally Blonde" are moving forward, with the hiring of screenwriters for the project.

Variety said TV writers Eve Ahlert and Dennis Drake have been assigned by MGM to write "Legally Blonde 2," a sequel to the surprise summer hit, which grossed $94.5 million in the U.S. and Canada and helped jack up star Reese Witherspoon into the vanguard of hot young actors.

Witherspoon hasn't committed to the sequel yet and no director has been assigned.

Meanwhile, another Ahlert/Drake screenplay, "Down With Love," has attracted Renee Zellweger for the lead, about a feminist writer who becomes embroiled in a relationship with a womanizing reporter. They're also working on a project dubbed "London Calling" for Danny DeVito's Jersey Films.

Ahlert and Drake's writing credits include the TV series "The Nanny."


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