Having bagged a then-record $3 million for his screenplay for the original film, the now octogenarian Joe Eszterhas has just bagged himself another bumper Basic Instinct deal, with the screenwriter teaming with Amazon MGM Studios for a reboot of the blockbuster 1992 erotic thriller.
As reported by The Wrap, Eszterhas is set to receive a guaranteed $2 million (against a $4 million payday should the project move forward) for a script for an “anti-woke” reimaging of the already anti-woke original, which was directed by Paul Verhoeven and starred Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone – the latter in a star-making turn as potential serial killer Catherine Tramell.
“To those who question what an 80-year-old man is doing writing a sexy, erotic thriller: the rumours of my cinematic impotence are exaggerated and ageist,” said Eszterhas, whose other credits include Flashdance, Jagged Edge, Sliver, Showgirls and Jade. “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.”
So far, there’s no further details on the project, and it’s unclear whether the film will be a straight-up remake, or a legacy sequel/reboot to the original and/or its 2006 sequel Basic Instinct 2, which saw Stone reprising her role. We can however presumably rule out any kind of appearance from Michael Douglas, with the legendary actor having recently called time on his on-screen career.
SEE ALSO: 10 Great Forgotten Erotic Thrillers You Need To See
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