Two days after the reports that Bruce had refused the lead in Basic Instinct 2, came these reports, which indicate he may still be aboard:
McT'S MOMENTUM: Fresh from directing the "Rollerball'' remake, John McTiernan is suddenly in high demand for star-studded projects. Aside from the possibility that he might step in and replace David Cronenberg at the helm of "Basic Instinct 2'' with Sharon Stone and possibly "Thirteen Days'' star Bruce Greenwood, McTiernan is also being courted to enlist in "Smoke and Mirrors,'' the fact-based script by Lee and Janet Batchler ("Batman Forever'') about 19th century illusionist Jean Robert Houdin, who was sent with a young female sidekick to Algeria by the French government to expose a sorcerer who was inciting an anti-colonial revolution.
As for "Basic Instinct 2,'' the film has a ticking clock in that its fate must be decided quickly to shoot before possible summer strikes. McTiernan favors shooting the whole film in New York, and he's also a well-compensated helmer believed to have gotten over $8 million to direct "Rollerball.''
MGM, Intermedia and C-2 partners Mario Kassar and Andy Vajna are trying to swallow those budget increases, but the alternative is to scrap the film and probably be on the hook for $15 million to reprising star Stone. The deal made last year seemed a smart one (it's believed to be a straight salary, no backend deal), but not if the movie doesn't happen and the star gets paid anyway.
GREENWOOD'S ATOM DESTINY: The critical acclaim given Beacon/New Line's "Thirteen Days'' has
given a major career boost to Bruce Greenwood, who, after portraying
President Kennedy, has a deal in place to star for Atom Egoyan in
"Ararat,'' in which Greenwood would once again play a real person,
this time Dr. Clarence Ussher, a Canadian doctor who for 15 years ran
a mission in Turkey.
Greenwood will be playing two roles: the doctor and an actor who's playing the role of the doctor in a film about his work. The pic, which co-stars Charles Aznavour, will shoot in June in Canada, pending the outcome of Screen Actors Guild (news - web sites) contract negotiations. Greenwood will most certainly take another part before then.
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010201/en/film-dish_7.html
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010201/en/film-dish_7.html
February 1, 2001
PAGE SIX
By Richard Johnson
with Paula Froelich and Chris Wilson
Sequel saved
February 1, 2001
Possibly the scariest thing about the upcoming sequel to 1992 thriller Basic Instinct is not its suspenseful plot, but its inability to find a director and a leading man. Aside from original star Sharon Stone, who is committed to return for $15 million, the folks behind the flick have had difficulty convincing anyone to sign on for the upcoming production.
But Basic Instinct 2 has apparently been saved from an icy fate. According to the New York Daily News, Stone has persuaded director John McTiernan (Die Hard) to replace cutting-edge Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg, who recently left the troubled project. That's not all -- the blond actress has apparently also inked 13 Days star Bruce Greenwood to fill the role that BI leading man Michael Douglas won't even consider reprising.
Greenwood's manager told the Daily News, "We're in negotiations. If and when the picture moves ahead, [Greenwood] will be in it."
Kurt Russell had previously been mentioned to star opposite Stone's raunchy novelist. BI2 is set to film in New York this spring.
http://mrshowbiz.go.com/archive/news/Todays_Stories/201/bi2progress020101.html
February 2, 2001
CRONENBERG EXITS 'BASIC INSTINCT' SEQUEL John McTiernan is in talks to direct the BASIC INSTINCT now that David Cronenberg is no longer attached to the project. The thriller also does not yet have a male lead to star opposite Sharon Stone, though that role may go to Bruce Greenwood, who played John F. Kennedy in 13 DAYS.
http://www.zentertainment.com/movies/012901movies.html
HOLLYWOOD.COM
Sharon Meets Her 'Basic' Needs
HOLLYWOOD, Feb. 2, 2001 -- Sharon Stone, hoping that lightning strikes twice, is undoubtedly smiling now that "Basic Instinct 2," the sequel to her biggest hit, has found those two ingredients so important to any good film: a leading man and a director.
The New York Daily News has revealed that Stone has recruited Bruce Greenwood ("13 Days") to play opposite her icy blonde writer, Catherine Tramell. Greenwood’s manager told the Daily News, "We're in negotiations. If and when the picture moves ahead, [Greenwood] will be in it."
In addition, the sequel has found a director in "Die Hard’s" John McTiernan.
News of the hirings of Greenwood and McTiernan put an end to the rumors of a long line of possible contenders. After the original film’s star, Michael Douglas, emphatically refused to have anything to do with the sequel, Kurt Russell was considered for the role, but he turned it down. As for directors, McTiernan has replaced David Cronenberg ("The Fly") on the project. "Basic Instinct 2," for which Stone is earning $15 million, will begin filming in New York this spring for a 2002 release.
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
People:
Once on ice, 'Instinct' II ready to be picked up:It once seemed that Sharon Stone wanted nothing to do with a "Basic Instinct" sequel. Now it seems she's bringing it back from the dead.
The project seemed to have run aground when Michael Douglas, star of the first "BI," declined to join in and no one seemed particularly interested in taking his place. Now comes word that Stone has landed not only a new leading man but a director as well. The actor is Bruce Greenwood, earning raves for his take on John F. Kennedy in "Thirteen Days." Let's see how he handles an ice pick. The director will be John McTiernan ("Die Hard"). Big Apple wags say filming is slated to start in New York City soon enough to beat the looming Screen Actors Guild strike.
Today's People Column was compiled by Randy McMullen from staff and wire reports.
