Original ‘Basic Instinct’ Writer Joe Eszterhas Ready to Script a Reboot
United Artists and Amazon MGM Studios have signed a big deal for Eszterhas to write a new take on the 1992 erotic thriller that starred Sharon Stone.
Sharon Stone in 'Basic Instinct'. Photo: TriStar Pictures.
Preview:
- ‘Basic Instinct’ writer Joe Eszterhas is back to craft a reboot.
- United Artists and Amazon MGM Studios have put together a new deal.
- Star Sharon Stone could potentially return.
We’re seeing a rising trend of remakes and reboots as studios grab for titles from back catalogues that still have name recognition and look to dust them off for new movies and TV.
We can now add pulpy 1992 erotic serial killer thriller ‘Basic Instinct’ to the list.
Basic Instinct
According to The Wrap, Scott Stuber’s United Artists banner and Amazon MGM Studios are cranking open their wallets for a hefty $4 billion deal for a reboot of the thriller that would include original screenwriter Joe Eszterhas back to write a new script.
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What’s the story of ‘Basic Instinct’?
(Lto R) Sharon Stone and Michael Douglas in 'Basic Instinct'. Photo: TriStar Pictures.
In the 1992 original, directed by Paul Verhoeven from Eszterhas’ script, former rock star and San Francisco nightclub owner Johnny Boz (Bill Cable) is found murdered in his bed. Detective Nick Curran (Michael Douglas) is assigned to the case; he has a history of alcoholism and drug abuse although he is clean now.
The prime suspect is Catherine Tramell (Stone), an attractive and manipulative novelist who had been seeing Boz for a while. Police psychiatrist Beth Gardner (Jeanne Tripplehorn), who happens to be Nick’s ex-girlfriend, is brought in on the case when it is discovered that Boz’s murder was copied directly from one of Catherine’s novels. Nick starts to get too involved and everyone seems to be a suspect...
Eszterhas was paid a then-record $3 million for his spec script, at a time when such deals were more common.
The movie itself became a hit (earning $353 million globally), not least because of its infamous interrogation scene, where Trammell uncrosses and crosses her legs as power move, showing that she isn’t wearing underwear. Stone later said the footage was captured without her consent.
She still returned for a belated, much-maligned sequel, ‘Basic Instinct 2’ in 2006. And according to The Wrap, there’s a chance she’ll be back for the reboot in some capacity.
‘Basic Instinct’ reboot: Joe Eszterhas speaks
(Lto R) Sharon Stone and Michael Douglas in 'Basic Instinct'. Photo: TriStar Pictures.
Eszterhas, who also write the likes of ‘Showgirls’, effectively retired from Hollywood after the failure of 1997’s ‘An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn,’ which he wrote and produced.
But it appears he’s back, offering up the following statement:
“To those who question what an 80-year-old man is doing writing a sexy, erotic thriller: the rumors of my cinematic impotence are exaggerated and ageist. I call my writing partner the TWISTED LITTLE MAN and he lives somewhere deep inside me. He was born 29 and he will die 29 and he tells me he is ‘sky high up’ to write this piece and provide viewers with a wild and orgasmic ride. That makes me very happy.”
The new movie is reportedly going to be "anti-woke", which will be a surprise to anyone who has watched the decidedly non-"woke" original!
When will the new ‘Basic Instinct’ be on our screens?
Amazon MGM Studios has yet to say anything about the movie officially in development, let alone a release date.
Sharon Stone in 2006's 'Basic Instinct 2.' Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Movies in the 'Basic Instinct' Franchise:
- 'Basic Instinct' (1992)
- 'Basic Instinct 2' (2006)
Buy 'Basic Instinct' Movies on Amazon
