Emerald Fennell’s reps are shutting down recent claims that she is directing the upcoming Basic Instinct reboot.
After screenwriter Joe Eszterhas told The Guardian on April 7 that he was negotiating with the Promising Young Woman director for the remake, a rep for Fennell told People, “There’s no truth to this.”
The original 1992 film stars Michael Douglas as a detective who develops a romance with the prime suspect of a murder case (Sharon Stone). The erotic thriller was met with mixed reviews from critics when it premiered. Despite the poor critical reception, the movie has gained a cult following over the years.
While Fennell is not on board for Basic Instinct, she is no stranger to writing and directing controversial films. Her debut movie, Promising Young Woman, received critical acclaim when it premiered in 2020 for its bold take on rape culture. Next came Fennell’s sophomore film, Saltburn, which explores themes of class. In 2026, the director’s movie adaptation of Wuthering Heights sparked backlash for straying too far from Emily Brontë’s original novel written in 1847.
Despite the recent criticism Fennell has received over Wuthering Heights, Eszterhas thought she was the perfect fit for a Basic Instinct reboot. "Her sensibility is exactly right,” he told The Guardian. “She’s someone who is not afraid of controversy and sexuality. So I’m thrilled by that. I hope it works out.”
Stone, who starred in the 1992 movie, has expressed a lack of interest in appearing in the reboot film. She said in an interview with Business Insider on August 1, 2025 that her most controversial scene in Basic Instinct served as a double-edged sword in her career. “It made me an icon,” she said, “but it didn't bring me respect.”
