Luke Wilson Discusses “Legally Blonde” and “No Good Deed”

Residing in Los Angeles has brought numerous advantages to Luke Wilson in various aspects.

Having lived in LA for over 20 years, the actor has found rich inspiration for his latest character, JD Campbell, in the new Netflix series “No Good Deed.” Campbell is portrayed as a down-and-out soap star, or in Wilson’s words, “a not-so-bright individual.”

“It was hilarious for me to embody a simple-minded soap opera actor. The moment I heard the character’s description, it immediately struck me as funny, and I could already envision all the comedic possibilities,” Wilson shared with TODAY.com during an interview.

“Living in LA, you encounter a range of successful actors and those aspiring to be, which offers a wealth of material,” he elaborates.

Wilson is already familiar with the quirky antics typical of Hollywood, as seen in “No Good Deed,” a dark comedy featuring a group of scheming house hunters in LA attempting to acquire a home sold by Lydia and Paul Morgan (played by Lisa Kudrow and Ray Romano), a grieving couple hiding unexpected secrets.

“(There were) certainly many relatable aspects for me personally, plus I’ve witnessed both positive and negative behaviors on set and around the city,” Wilson notes about the LA atmosphere.

Besides Kudrow, Romano, and Wilson, the new Netflix series also includes O-T Fagbenle, Abbi Jacobson, Poppy Liu, Denis Leary, and Linda Cardellini, who stars opposite Wilson as Margo Starling, JD’s scheming spouse.

“Linda is incredibly funny and really elevates the scenes,” Wilson remarks about the “Dead to Me” star.

“She reminded me of people I’ve met in LA and back home in Texas, who are constantly in search of the best car, the ideal house, the perfect vacation spot, or the ultimate partner.”

Wilson adds that he felt at ease knowing Cardellini was often in charge during their scenes together.

“Playing a not-so-bright character made me a bit anxious. You want the interactions to be engaging and lively,” Wilson explains. “Knowing how humorous she was and the energy she brought to each scene allowed me to think, ‘Alright, I can just do my part now.’

Is ‘Legally Blonde 3’ in the works?

Although “No Good Deed” is Cardellini and Wilson’s latest collaboration, it’s not their first time working together.

“We initially collaborated on ‘Legally Blonde’ 25 years ago, but we didn’t share any scenes,” Wilson recounts. “We were simply around each other in a courtroom scene.”

The 2001 film “Legally Blonde,” featuring Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods and Wilson as her love interest Emmett Richmond, received a sequel, “Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde,” in 2003. Discussions surrounding a third movie in the franchise have increased recently.

Regarding his return as Emmett in a potential third installment, Wilson mentions that the future of the sequel is still uncertain.

“I believe Reese (Witherspoon) has been trying to bring something together for years, and she’s much too clever to simply do a Part 3,” he states.

“Especially after the success of films like ‘Barbie,’ there’s definitely a demand for something funny and lighter with an uplifting message. I’m just hoping they get it done while we still can.”

Though Wilson hasn’t reprised his role as Emmett in over 20 years, he recently donned the character’s persona opposite Savannah Guthrie, briefly dressed as Elle, during a surprise segment on TODAY’s annual Halloween celebration on October 31.

“I was hoping Savannah and I could bring a little excitement back,” the actor quips regarding the anticipation for a “Legally Blonde 3.”

Regardless, Wilson feels fortunate to have been a part of the original film, which also inspired a Broadway musical and numerous spinoffs.

“You never know what’s going to resonate with audiences while you’re creating it. The goal is to enjoy the process, perform well, and ultimately have people embrace it. That’s the hope,” Wilson remarks.

“So, when a project becomes a beloved part of people’s lives, especially when I’ve met mothers who share it with their daughters, I consider myself quite lucky to have contributed to it.”

Kevin Costner and the ‘Horizon’ sequel

From his early roles in films like “Charlie’s Angels,” “Old School,” and “The Royal Tenenbaums,” to his recent performance in “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1,” Wilson, now 53, reflects on how his perspective on his career has evolved over time.

“I’m definitely more appreciative now,” he says, reminiscing about his younger years.

“I was often just focused on moving from one project to the next, jumping from location to location. I’ve been fortunate to have countless roles in films, and a few genuine connections. I believe the early phase of my career was particularly enjoyable.”

Nevertheless, he admits that looking back, it was sometimes quite a lot to manage. “Considering my day-to-day experiences now, I realize I was probably a bit overwhelmed at times.”

Regardless, Wilson feels grateful for collaborating on several films alongside his brothers, actors Owen and Andrew Wilson. He appreciates the time spent with a talented group, including Kevin Costner, who he regards as “remarkable” for his efforts in the “Horizon” series.

Having appeared in both the initial film and the upcoming sequel, “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2,” Wilson remains uncertain about the release date for the second part.

“It’s fantastic,” he shares about the latest chapter of Costner’s Western saga. “We have more filming to complete, and I genuinely look forward to reuniting the cast and finishing it.”

For the time being, Wilson expresses his enjoyment in taking on projects like “No Good Deed,” emphasizing that much like the early days of his career, he is content with his current trajectory.

“I really like where I am now, too.”