Tracy Flick Can’t Win: Reese Witherspoon to star in an Election sequel with Alex Payne returning to direct

Last Updated on December 13, 2022

Hollywood is ready to “Pick Flick” again for an Election sequel starring Reese Witherspoon (The Morning Show) called Tracy Flick Can’t Win. The original film’s writer and director, Alexander Payne (Sideways, King of California), will return for the follow-up to Witherspoon’s 1999 cult comedy. Payne is writing the sequel with Jim Taylor, inspired by Tom Perrotta’s latest novel of the same name. The story focuses on Tracy Flick, an assistant principal at a public high school in suburban New Jersey. Despite her tenacity and thirst for power, Flick still struggles to make her mark on the world and show doubters who’s boss.

Here is the official description of Perrotta’s novel Tracy Flick Can’t Win:

Tracy Flick is a hardworking assistant principal at a public high school in suburban New Jersey. Still ambitious but feeling a little stuck and underappreciated in midlife, Tracy gets a jolt of good news when the longtime principal, Jack Weede, abruptly announces his retirement, creating a rare opportunity for Tracy to ascend to the top job.

Energized by the prospect of her long-overdue promotion, Tracy throws herself into her work with renewed zeal, determined to prove her worth to the students, faculty, and School Board, while also managing her personal life—a ten-year-old daughter, a needy doctor boyfriend, and a burgeoning meditation practice.

But nothing ever comes easily to Tracy Flick, no matter how diligent or qualified she happens to be. Her male colleagues’ determination to honor Vito Falcone—a star quarterback of dubious character who had a brief, undistinguished career in the NFL—triggers memories for Tracy and leads her to reflect on the trajectory of her own life. As she considers the past, Tracy becomes aware of storm clouds brewing in the present. Is she really a shoo-in for the principal job? Is the Superintendent plotting against her? Why is the School Board President’s wife trying so hard to be her friend? And why can’t she ever get what she deserves?

In addition to her starring role, Witherspoon produces with Lauren Neustadter for Hello Sunshine alongside Bona Fide Productions’ Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa. Perrotta will also serve as an executive producer.

Hot damn! This news is the last thing I expected to write today, but I am all about it. Election, starring Witherspoon as a thorn in the side of Matthew Broderick’s Jim McAllister, is comedy gold, and I highly recommend watching it. Payne’s Election is dark, disturbing, and powered by lies, corruption, and a broken system. Hey! It’s just like real politics! Hey-o!