Emerald Fennell and Margot Robbie’s crazy scheme to make Wuthering Heights sound like the most romantic love story ever worked out in the end. Wuthering Heights was a successful film by all financial metrics – it had a budget of $80 million, and it made $239,467,956 worldwide. Even if you take the promotional costs, WH still made a profit and Margot got another success as a producer and star. Between Wuthering Heights and Saltburn, Fennell has sort of entered an interesting space for a female director – she’s able to make “controversial” and buzzy films, she’s developed a certain (cheesy) aesthetic, and she’s made a name for herself in Hollywood. So much so that Emerald is now in talks to reboot a 1990s classic: Basic Instinct, which was one of the most “controversial” and cheesy films in its day.
Wuthering Heights filmmaker Emerald Fennell has been tapped and is currently in negotiations to direct a Basic Instinct reboot, according to screenwriter Joe Eszterhas.
“The producers are negotiating with a really interesting director – a Brit, Emerald Fennell – who did Promising Young Woman and Wuthering Heights,” Eszterhas told The Guardian in an interview. “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.”
We’ve reached out to Fennell’s reps for further comment.
Eszterhas is the screenwriter behind the original Basic Instinct, starring Sharon Stone and Michael Douglas. Last summer, it was reported that Eszterhas had locked a deal with Amazon to write a reboot of the thriller.
So, I actually hated this when I first saw the news, but now the idea is growing on me. Emerald’s sensibility IS exactly right for Basic Instinct. It will keep her from putting her stink on another piece of classic literature too, unless you consider Joe Eszterhas’s script to be classic lit. I mean… I remember what a big deal it was at the time. I was just a kid, but I know that people lost their minds over Sharon Stone flashing her beav to the camera, then lying about how she never thought that they would use the wide shot. You know what would be crazy? If Emerald cast some British actress in the Sharon Stone role. Like… Carey Mulligan would turn it down, right?? Rosamund Pike could actually play that character but I don’t think she would. Anyway… maybe I am intrigued.
Update: Variety reports that Emerald is NOT in talks. Too bad, the idea was growing on me.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid.
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- Emerald Fennell at the Barbie European Premiere at Cineworld in Leicester Square, London, United Kingdom on 12 July 2023.,Image: 788746022, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Cat Morley / Avalon
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- Emerald Fennell on the red carpet for the 67th BFI London Film Festival: Saltburn Opening Night Gala at BFI Southbank in Waterloo, London, United Kingdom on 4 October 2023.,Image: 810968018, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Cat Morley / Avalon
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- Hollywood, CA Warner Bros. Pictures and MRC Presents World Premiere of “Wuthering Heights” at TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California. Pictured: Emerald Fennell BACKGRID USA 28 JANUARY 2026 BYLINE MUST READ: Juan Rico / BACKGRID USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- Hollywood, CA Warner Bros. Pictures and MRC Presents World Premiere of “Wuthering Heights” at TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California. Pictured: Emerald Fennell BACKGRID USA 28 JANUARY 2026 BYLINE MUST READ: Juan Rico / BACKGRID USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- North America Rights Only – London, UK -20220308- Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall as President of WOW – Women of the World Festival, speaks to actress, filmmaker, and writer, Emerald Fennell (centre) and Jude Kelly CBE, Founder and CEO of The WOW Foundation (right), during a reception to mark International Women’s Day at Clarence House. -PICTURED: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Emerald Fennell -PHOTO by: Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA Images/INSTARimages.com Disclaimer: This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact INSTAR Images for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207. This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. INSTAR Images reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded For images containing underage children: Be advised that some Countries may have restricted privacy laws against publishing images of underage children. Inform yourself! Underage children may need to be removed or have their face pixelated before publishing Featuring: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Emerald Fennell Where: London, England, United Kingdom When: 08 Mar 2022 Credit: Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA Images/INSTARimages.com **North America Rights Only**
Fingers crossed for reuniting Robbie and DiCaprio.
I remember the laughter at the time at Stone claiming she didn’t know. There was an article from an anonymous DP saying exactly how much work went into getting the lighting right for that shot. Not something that happened accidentally.
Honestly this seems exactly in line with Fennel’s sophomoric sensibility.
We do not need a new version of Basic Instinct, I don’t care who’s directing it.