'Basic Instinct': Emerald Fennell's Representative Denies There Are Negotiations to Direct the Reboot

In July 2025, it was revealed that the iconic 1992 erotic thriller, Basic Instinct, prepare a reboot with home at Amazon MGM Studios, with Joe Eszterhasscreenwriter of the original film, in charge of the script for this new version.

The most recent news, announced this morning by Eszterhas himself, announced that the filmmaker Emerald Fennellrecognized for directing and writing projects such as Promising Young Woman –for which he won the Oscar for best original screenplay–, Saltburn, and more recently, Wuthering Heightswas in negotiations to direct the reboot of Low instincts.

In an interview with The Guardian, Eszterhas declared: “The producers are negotiating with a very interesting director, the British Emerald Fennell, who directed Promising Young Woman y Wuthering Heights. His sensitivity is perfect. He is a person who is not afraid of controversy or sexuality. So I'm delighted. I hope everything goes well.”

The media Deadline contacted Fennell's representatives in search of adding their statement to this news, and they were surprised, because It was denied that Fennell is involved in the project.

A representative for Fennell said:

“There is no truth to this. She is not involved in any way.”.

In another statement sent to Deadline, a spokesperson for Amazon MGM Studios also denied being in talks with the filmmaker, calling it “categorically false”.

The studio acquired rights to the property, along with United Artists and Scott Stuber, in a rights deal valued at $4 million.

The original 1992 film, Low instinctsstarring Michael Douglas y Sharon Stoneand directed by Paul Verhoeven, follows detective Nick Curran (Douglas) as he investigates a brutal murder that leads him into a dangerous game of seduction with the main suspect, Catherine Tramell (Stone), a manipulative crime novelist.

It was a box office success, grossing more than $350 million dollars in the global box office.

It is classified as a cultural phenomenonoften remembered for its explicit content and Stone's unforgettable interrogation scene. Three decades later, it is still an indisputable reference in the erotic thriller genre.

Initially, Eszterhas commented that he hoped Stone would reprise her role in the reboot, stating that he would write a part for her, in a co-starring role. Later, Stone seemed to reject the offer during an appearance on NBC's Today Show, referring to the 2006 sequel, in which she did reprise her leading role, and is remembered as a failure on all fronts: “If it turns out like it did in my case, I would just say, 'I don't know why you did it'. I mean, go ahead. Best of luck.”

There has been no further mention of Stone's possible return as Catherine Tramell.

The new version of Eszterhas will be “anti-woke”and in the words of the screenwriter, “will offer viewers a wild and orgasmic journey.”

Eszterhas' scripts often address themes such as moral ambiguity, power, and sexuality; In fact, the original film generated controversy among both feminists and the gay community. In addition to writing Basic Instincthas written Flashdance (1983), Jagged Edge (1985), and the iconic Showgirls (1995).

Stuber, Nick Nesbit and Craig Baumgarten will produce the reboot, with Adam Griffin serving as executive producer.