Sharon Stone’s Basic Instinct is probably one of the most controversial films of all time, for more reasons than one. While at first, the film raised some eyebrows thanks to its violent and s*xual content, it was later deemed as groundbreaking. The film also managed to become one of the highest-grossing movies of 1992.
Filming explicit scenes with Michael Douglas for Basic Instinct was not a problem for Sharon Stone. She was absolutely game when it came to her character, Catherine Tramell, using her s*xual allure as a weapon. However, there was one scene in the film which shocked Sharon Stone – the leg-crossing scene. According to the actress, the director included the moment in the film without her approval/knowledge. Paul Verhoeven, though, denied any such claims.
Sharon Stone Talks about the Leg-Crossing Scene
The much-talked-about scene was enough to completely shock the audience. After all, the film was released in 1992. Apparently, Sharon Stone first filmed the scene wearing underwear. But when it reflected light, director Paul Verhoeven managed to convince Stone to film the scene without any underwear. According to him, a shadow would cover the area and she wouldn’t have to worry about flashing the viewers.
However, the shadow trick didn’t seem to work quite as they would have liked, yet, the shot was used in the film, allegedly, without Stone’s knowledge. During her appearance on Piers Morgan Tonight, she stated that after the revelation was made to her at the film’s public screening, she was absolutely horrified.
“He had told me when we shot the scene that the light was reflecting off of my underwear, and that if I took off my underwear, there would be a shadow…He screened the movie with me publically with many people in a room. He didn’t give me a chance to see it, digest it. I think more I was just so shocked and I was embarrassed not to be able to process it alone with him than I was so horrified.”
Stone stated at the Hamptons Film Festival that she even contemplated stopping the film’s release before realizing that despite everything, the scene was good for the film. Still, Stone wishes Verhoeven gave her a chance to wrap her head around it all before the public screening.
Paul Verhoeven Denies Sharon Stone’s Claims
In an interview with Empire, Verhoeven talked about Stone’s character in Basic Instinct, Catherine Tramell. He stated,
“She is victorious. She used s*xuality to defend herself. And attack – it made them into drooling males.”
Verhoeven also stated that upon Stone’s request, the scene was shot at the end of the day when most actors had already left. He then commented on Stone’s claims stating that she knew about his intentions and even gifted him her underwear as a green light.
“You cannot do that shot without somebody not knowing. On top of that, she gave me her panties as a gesture of confidence.”
Despite all the controversies, Basic Instinct made $352 million at the box office on a budget of $49 million. The film was also renewed for a sequel where Stone reprised her role as Catherine. However, Verhoeven and Michael Douglas were not a part of the sequel.
You can stream Basic Instinct on Paramount+.
Source: Empire
