Basic Instinct was an American erotic crime thriller released in 1992. It is regarded by many as a groundbreaking film for its portrayal of sexuality in mainstream American-Hollywood cinema. The movie was directed by Paul Verhoeven and its story was written by Joe Eszterhas. It stars Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone, Jeanne Tripplehorn, and George Dzundza. What are these stars doing now in 2020?
Upon release Basic Instinct was met with mixed reviews. There were public protests against graphic violence and excessive sexuality in the film. Despite this, the film became one of the top grossing films of the year. It made over $352 million on a budget of about $49 million. A sequel to the movie ‘Basic Instinct 2’ starring Sharon Stone released in 2006. It failed at the box office. Since its release, Basic Instinct has achieved cult status and numerous versions of the movie with unseen footage and director’s cut have been released on Blu-Rays and DVDs over the years.
Michael Douglas played the role of Detective Nick Curran in the film. After Basic Instinct, the Oscar winning actor has starred in many films like Falling Down, The Game, The American President, Traffic, Solitary Man, Wonder Boys, Ant-Man, Avengers: Endgame, and Ant-Man and the Wasp. In 2013, he won a Primetime Emmy for his role in HBO movie ‘Behind the Candelabra’ and a Golden Globe for his role in The Kominsky Method. He was diagnosed with tongue cancer in 2010 and received successful treatment for it. He has been married to actress Catherine Zeta-Jones since 2000 and they have 2 children. Michael has a son Cameron Douglas from his first marriage.
Sharon Stone played the role of mysterious writer and prime suspect Catherine Tramell in the movie. She achieved worldwide fame and became a sex symbol after the release of Basic Instinct. During an interview in 2006, she stated that she was unaware that a shot of her exposed vulva was being filmed during the famed ‘uncrossing and crossing of the legs’ scene in the film. She received a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination for her role in the 1995 movie Casino. She has acted in numerous films since 1992, such as The Mighty, Sliver, The Muse, The Specialist, Last Dance, The Quick and the Dead, Catwoman, Alpha Dog, Broken Flowers, Lovelace, and The Disaster Artist, etc. She received the Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters in 2005 in France. She has also made guest appearances and starred in many TV series like War and Remembrance, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The Practice, and The New Pope, etc. Sharon married Phil Bronstein in 1998 and got divorced in 2004. She had many miscarriages and was unable to have any kids due to an autoimmune condition; she has 3 adopted sons.
Jeanne Tripplehorn played the role of police psychologist Dr. Beth Garner in the film. It was her debut role in films as she had only done theater work till then. Since Basic Instinct, she has acted in movies like The Firm, Sliding Doors, and Waterworld. She also starred in TV series like Big Love and Criminal Minds, and in HBO film Grey Gardens. As of 2020, she stars as Eleanor Schlafly in the miniseries Mrs. America. Jeanne married Leland Orser in 2000 and the couple has 1 child.
George Dzundza played the role of Detective Gus Moran in the film Basic Instinct. The 75 year old has since appeared in many TV series, including the hit show Grey’s Anatomy. He has been married to Mary Jo Vermeulen since 1982. The couple has 3 children.