Wuthering Heights’ Emerald Fennell in Talks to Helm 90s Thriller Remake

Well, here’s one update on a reboot I wasn’t expecting: 'Promising Young Woman' director Emerald Fennell is now apparently at the front of the line to take on a new version of 'Basic Instinct'—which, if you know anything about her or the original, is kind of a wild pairing.

The Facts (and the Baggage)

If you missed the '90s (or just blocked out the entire era of erotic thrillers), 'Basic Instinct' was the infamous 1992 movie where Michael Douglas played a cop obsessed with investigating—and then sleeping with—Sharon Stone’s mystery novelist/suspected killer, Catherine Tramell. People went nuts over the movie: some denounced it for its graphic sex, bisexual stereotypes, and especially that interrogation scene, while others just bought tickets in droves and made it a $353 million global hit. Stone did a sequel in 2006, but nobody cared about that one, including, apparently, critics.

The new possible version is being steered by the film’s original writer, Joe Eszterhas. He’s already been paid $2 million—yes, really—to write a reboot script for Amazon MGM Studios, with the chance to pocket another $2 mil if they actually make it. In his own words (from The Guardian interview):

"The producers are negotiating with a really interesting director—a Brit, Emerald Fennell—who did Promising Young Woman and Wuthering Heights. Her sensibility is exactly right. She’s someone who is not afraid of controversy and sexuality. So I’m thrilled by that. I hope it works out."

Fennell, for her part, just came off a box office hit with a modern-spin 'Wuthering Heights' starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. That flick pulled in $239 million against an $80 million budget—so she not only has the indie cred but also knows how to find an audience. If she says yes, this will probably be her most high-profile movie by far.

What’s Happening with the Cast?

Initially, Eszterhas wanted Sharon Stone back, but if you listen to Stone, she couldn’t care less:

"If it goes the way the one that I was in, I would just say, I don’t know why you’d do it. I mean, go ahead. Good f***ing luck."

In other words, don’t hold your breath for a Catherine Tramell reunion tour.

The New Spin

Nobody’s dropping plot details yet, but according to word in the trades, this reboot is being branded as 'anti-woke'—which almost feels like an invitation for controversy even before they roll cameras. With Fennell’s talent for smart, deliberately risky movies, it could go in some wild directions or just crash at the launch pad.

Need-to-Know Summary

• Emerald Fennell ('Promising Young Woman', 'Wuthering Heights') is in active talks to direct a 'Basic Instinct' reboot for Amazon MGM Studios.
• The script is by original screenwriter Joe Eszterhas, who got a giant payday to write it.
• 'Basic Instinct' was one of the most infamous movies of the '90s, both for its content and for how much money it made.
• Sharon Stone has no plans to come back and basically wishes them 'good luck.'
• The plot and casting are totally under wraps, other than rumors the studio wants a more divisive angle this time.

Fennell knows her way around movies that poke at taboos, so at the very least, this isn’t going to be a by-the-numbers remake. Whether it works or explodes into Twitter arguments for a month straight, stay tuned: the 'Basic Instinct' reboot could get a lot more interesting.