Back To Basic

The sequel to 1992 eroti-thriller, Basic Instinct is the kind of sinking ship that keeps the RNLI in business. Since it was first mooted we've seen Michael Douglas and Paul Verhoeven make a swift exit, director David Cronenberg cite the old 'creative differences' chestnut and John McTiernan, Kurt Russell and Paul Greenwood all running for the lifeboats at various points. The only constant throughout the whole affair has been Sharon Stone, who remained steadfast that she would wield the ice pick as Catherine Tramell once again and she told Empire as much recently when we ran into her at the Catwoman premiere. Well, unlikely as it seems, Stone's faith may not have been unfounded as forward motion is finally being detected on this long-suffering sequel. City By The Sea and Rob Roy director Michael Caton-Jones is the new name on the director's chair, poised as he is to sign on and bring the film back from Davey Jones' locker. To be honest we're rather relieved. It's not that we're dying to see the film or even that a sequel is a particularly good idea, but it is rather pleasing to know that no matter how far a depth-charged project sinks, it can always be dredged up, refitted and returned to the front lines. Now apply that same tenacious attitude to long lost projects like Alien 5 and Evil Dead IV and we'll all be happy.