Basic Instinct - Production

Production

The screenplay, written in the 1980s, was popular enough to prompt a bidding war; it was eventually purchased by Carolco Pictures, for a reported US$3 million. Eszterhas, who wrote the film in 13 days, and who had been the creative source for several other blockbusters, including Flashdance (1983) and Jagged Edge (1985), was replaced by Gary Goldman as the writer because Eszterhas and producer Irwin Winkler had walked off the picture after failing to reach agreement with Verhoeven over how the film should be approached. Verhoeven promptly hired Total Recall (1990) writer Goldman to come up with some new scenes, most of which made Douglas' character tougher and less self-destructive. These changes were largely made at Douglas' behest. It was during this stage that Verhoeven realized his changes were not going to work, so he had to publicly make up with Eszterhas. Problems recurred later when Eszterhas wanted to make more changes to appease the gay and lesbian communities. Verhoeven point-blank refused to incorporate these changes. However, after five months of rewrites, Verhoeven went back to the original script. Original drafts included the concept of the love scene between Nick and Catherine in her apartment.

The initial production title Love Hurts was changed to Basic Instinct, later re-used as the name of Tramell's novel. TriStar Pictures, which had the United States distribution deal with Carolco, distributed Basic Instinct. Warner Bros. Pictures hired outside contractors during production, to build the Johnny Boz Club, among other jobs. Adjusted for inflation, the budget of the film was an estimated US$49,000,000.

In preparation for the car chase scene, Douglas reportedly drove up the steps on Kearny Street in San Francisco for four nights by himself. Douglas recommended Kim Basinger for the role of Catherine Tramell, but Basinger declined. Greta Scacchi and Meg Ryan also turned down the role, as did Michelle Pfeiffer, Geena Davis, Kathleen Turner, Ellen Barkin, and Mariel Hemingway. Verhoeven considered Demi Moore. Stone, who was eventually selected for the role of Catherine Tramell, was a relative unknown until the success of this movie; she was paid a minimal amount of $500,000, considering the film's extensive production budget.

Filming commenced on April 5, 1991, concluding on September 10, 1991. Filming in San Francisco was attended by gay and lesbian rights activists and demonstrators, and San Francisco Police Department riot police were present at every location daily to deal with the crowds.

The scene where Michael Douglas has sex with Jeanne Tripplehorn was filmed unbeknownst to the actors, who were simply rehearsing the scene. Things heated up quickly, as evidenced by the footage in the final film, and Verhoeven liked the performances so much that he included it in the final film. Verhoeven initially fought during the production for a lesbian love scene to be added to the script over the objection of Eszterhas, who thought such a scene would be gratuitous. Verhoeven eventually agreed with Eszterhas and apologized to him for forcing the issue. Following the success of Basic Instinct, Ezsterhas and Verhoeven went on to collaborate on Showgirls.