Cruel Intentions Reboot, Canceled Twice, Is Finally Happening
The Cruel Intentions series remake is happening from Amazon on its Freevee app
After two failed attempts, a television adaptation of the cult classic Cruel Intentions is finally happening, according to Variety. Sources say Amazon has ordered eight episodes of the drama series, which is expected to drop on the company’s free streaming service, Freevee. Filming for the show will reportedly begin in Toronto next June.
Set in Washington, D.C., Amazon’s Cruel Intentions TV series will center on two step-siblings who are determined to maintain their status atop the prestigious Green Life hierarchy at their college. When the school’s entire Panhellenic system is jeopardized by a brutal hazing event, they will stop at nothing to protect their power and reputations, even if it means seducing the daughter of the U.S. vice president.
Released in 1999, the original Cruel Intentions movie is based on the classic French novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. The movie follows two wealthy step-siblings, Kathryn and Sebastian, who make a wager to seduce and ruin two innocent people. However, their twisted games ultimately lead to devastating consequences for everyone involved.
Although the film is now considered a cult classic, Cruel Intentions garnered mixed reviews when it first premiered. While critics lauded the performances of Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillippe, the movie’s screenplay was criticized for being too formulaic and predictable. Its score of 54 percent on Rotten Tomatoes reflects the mixed and negative reception from critics.
Despite mixed reviews, Cruel Intentions was a commercial success. The film grossed over $75 million worldwide against an estimated production budget of $10.5 million, making it a box office hit. It also helped launch the careers of its young stars, especially Reese Witherspoon, who went on to become one of Hollywood’s most bankable actresses.
Cruel Intentions has a rich source material and complex characters that can be explored in greater depth in a television series format. The film’s blend of drama, romance, and intrigue would even lend itself well to a serialized format, allowing more character development and intricate plot twists. Additionally, the movie’s nostalgic appeal to 90s and early 2000s audiences makes it a perfect candidate for a modern television adaptation.
Despite its potential, turning Cruel Intentions into a TV series has been a challenging endeavor. In 2016, NBC ordered a pilot for a follow-up to the movie, with Sarah Michelle Gellar set to return as her character Kathryn Merteuil. However, the pilot did not progress to a full series.
Before that, a prequel TV series for Cruel Intentions was attempted by Fox, but it was canceled before its release. Three episodes of the show were repurposed and turned into the direct-to-video movie Cruel Intentions 2 in 2001. Sony Pictures later produced another direct-to-video sequel, Cruel Intentions 3, which was released in 2004.
Phoebe Fisher, known for her work on Euphoria, and Sara Goodman, of Gossip Girl fame, began working on Amazon’s Cruel Intentions series in October 2021. Neal H. Moritz, who produced the original film, serves as an executive producer for the show. Although Sarah Michelle Gellar is not involved with the series, it’s possible other stars from the 1999 film could pop up in the show.
