Where to watch Basic Instinct (1992)

Trivia & production notes

• Screenwriter Joe Eszterhas completed the script in just 13 days, having previously written blockbuster films like Flashdance and Jagged Edge.
• Director Paul Verhoeven wanted a lesbian sex scene added to the script, which Eszterhas considered exploitative and refused to write, leading both men to initially leave the project.
• After Verhoeven rejected Eszterhas' original vision through four rewrites by Gary Goldman, Verhoeven admitted his own suggestions were undramatic and stupid, and the final script returned to Eszterhas' original concept.
• Carolco Pictures paid $3 million for the screenplay in a bidding war during the 1980s.
• Multiple major actresses including Kim Basinger, Julia Roberts, Michelle Pfeiffer, Geena Davis, and Kathleen Turner turned down Catherine Tramell's role, largely because of its demands for nudity and sexual simulation.
• Sharon Stone's manager broke into the studio's office locker to retrieve the script and give it to her after the studio refused to send it.
• Michael Douglas initially refused to test with Sharon Stone and was upset about her casting as an unknown actress, only agreeing to test with her after 12 other actresses had turned down the role.
• Sharon Stone earned $500,000 for her role while Michael Douglas received $14 million.
• Michael Douglas personally drove up the steps on Kearny Street in San Francisco for four nights to prepare for the car chase scene.
• Basic Instinct was the final screen appearance of actress Dorothy Malone.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article Basic Instinct, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Rewritten for StreamShack; errors are ours — tell us about them.