Reese Witherspoon turned down the opportunity to star in Legally Blonde 3, her co-star Jennifer Coolidge has revealed.

The Oscar-winning actress decided to pass on the chance to reprise her role as lawyer Elle Woods in a planned third instalment, after playing the character twice - in 2001's Legally Blonde (2001) and the sequel, Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde (2003) in 2003.

"That was Reese's choice," she told the New York Daily News.

Jennifer, who played Elle's manicurist and confidante Paulette Bonafonte, praised Reese, who went on to win an Oscar for her performance in Walk The Line.

"I kind of feel like she's set for life because she's such a good actress. It was weird, she carried Legally Blonde," she continued.

"She had a baby at home or two babies at home and she was doing Legally Blonde during the day. It was bizarre how much that girl can handle. I was blown away by her."

Jennifer, best known for playing Stifler's mum in the American Pie movies, next stars in romantic comedy Austenland alongside Keri Russell, Jane Seymour and former soap star Ricky Whittle.

Reese, who will next be seen in crime drama Devil's Knot, is in talks to star in the big-screen adaptation of Cheryl Strayed's best-selling novel, Wild, based on a screenplay from Nick Hornby.

Source: Press Release