- Primary Subject: Emerald Fennell Basic Instinct Rumor
- Key Update: The Wuthering Heights director is rumored to helm the modern reboot of Basic Instinct.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: April 8, 2026
- Quick Answer: Despite screenwriter Joe Eszterhas’s claims, Emerald Fennell is not directing the Basic Instinct reboot; her team and Amazon MGM Studios have confirmed the rumor is false.
There were rumors recently that Wuthering Heights director Emerald Fennell is helming the reboot of Basic Instinct. But is there any truth to it?
A modern reboot of the 1992 erotic thriller cult classic is currently in the works. While the project is still in the development stage, there is a lot of anticipation among fans of the original about how it will retell the story for the current audience, and which female star from today will play the iconic role of Catherine Tramell.
Is Emerald Fennell Directing the Basic Instinct Reboot?
In a recent interview with The Guardian, Joe Eszterhas, who wrote the original film, claimed that Emerald Fennell is currently in negotiations to direct the Basic Instinct reboot. He is currently writing the modern version as well.
"The producers are negotiating with a really interesting director – a Brit, Emerald Fennell – who did Promising Young Woman and Wuthering Heights," he said.
"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."
However, when Deadline reached out to Fennell's representative, they denied that the Wuthering Heights filmmaker is in talks to work on the reboot at all and shot down Eszterhas's claims. "[There is] no truth in this. She is not involved in any way," they said in a statement.
Amazon MGM Studios has also denied the claim and confirmed that the rumor is "categorically false."
Despite the rumors that are going around, it is not true after all that Fennell will be directing the Basic Instinct reboot. While things might still change in the future, it should not be treated as a fact for now.
What is Basic Instinct About?
Basic Instinct remains a classic to this day, despite some of the outdated elements that may not hold up to the current movie audience.
The story follows a violent police detective who investigates a brutal murder that might involve a manipulative and seductive novelist.
The film was a huge box office success when it was released in 1992, as it managed to gross $353 million worldwide. The critics were divided at that time, but it has gained a cult following throughout the years.
A sequel was released in 2006 without the involvement of the original director and writer. Sharon Stone reprised her iconic role. However, it ended up being a box office and critical flop. No new installment has been made since then.
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