Basic Instinct sequel dropped by MGM; Stone sues

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer has shelved its plans to produce a sequel to Basic Instinct, the stylish thriller with the ice pick–wielding bisexual played by Sharon Stone, according to Reuters. Stone has filed suit against producers Andy Vajna and Mario Kassar, alleging she had made an oral agreement to reprise the role of Catherine Trammel. While the producers deny that any such agreement was made, Stone’s lawyer made the observation in Variety that “it’s interesting that they deny they ever had any contract with Sharon. After all, what’s the first thing you do when you’re making a sequel to Basic Instinct? You make a deal with Sharon Stone.” The New York Post reports that Stone claims to have given up other film work in order that she could work on the sequel and had even moved “to a health and fitness spa to achieve the physical effect requested by defendants.” Stone is seeking $14 million and a share of the gross profits should the film ever be produced, regardless of who plays the leading lady.