TL;DR
- Emerald Fennell denies directing Basic Instinct reboot.
- Joe Eszterhas claimed she was in talks.
- Amazon also called the rumors false.
- The reboot has been labeled ‘anti-woke’.
- Original film faced criticism for misogyny.
Emerald Fennell, the Oscar-winning filmmaker known for her daring storytelling, is firmly shutting down rumors that she’s set to direct a reboot of the infamous Basic Instinct. The speculation kicked off when screenwriter Joe Eszterhas, who penned the original 1992 thriller, mentioned in an interview that Fennell was in talks for the project. But hold your horses, because both Fennell’s team and Amazon have swiftly denied these claims.
Eszterhas, in a chat with The Guardian, expressed excitement over the prospect of Fennell taking the reins, saying, “The producers are negotiating with a really interesting director – a Brit, Emerald Fennell. 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.” But alas, Fennell’s team responded with a definitive “nope,” stating she is “not involved in any way,” while Amazon described the claim as “categorically false.” Talk about a plot twist!
The original Basic Instinct, starring Sharon Stone and Michael Douglas, was a box office hit but also drew heavy criticism for its portrayal of women and its overtly sexual themes. Some labeled it as “the most blatantly misogynistic film in recent memory.” Eszterhas has defended the film against these accusations, but it seems that Hollywood is still grappling with the fallout of its past. He noted, “People are terrified of confrontation and disagreement. That’s a communication loss. That’s a human loss.”
As for the reboot, it’s already stirring up controversy, with early reports dubbing it “anti-woke.” Given Fennell’s track record with provocative films like Promising Young Woman, it’s no wonder her name was thrown into the mix. But for now, it looks like fans of her work will have to wait to see what she tackles next.
With this latest drama, one thing is clear: Fennell is not interested in stepping into the shoes of a project that has already sparked so much debate. And honestly, who could blame her? The world of Hollywood is already a minefield of opinions and controversies, and adding an ‘anti-woke’ label to the mix is just asking for trouble. So, let’s raise a glass to Emerald for keeping it real and steering clear of this reboot madness.