An updated take on the cult film Cruel Intentions has been in the works for several years, but now it’s finally been confirmed (via TVLine) that an eight-part TV series is coming to Amazon, with filming set to begin in Toronto later this month.
Like Roger Kumble’s cult teen movie from 1999, the new version will be loosely based on Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ 1782 novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses, revolving around two ruthless step-siblings who will do “whatever’s necessary to preserve their power and reputations”. Transplanting the action from New York City to Washington DC, however, the series is set to explore the Greek life hierarchy at an elite college, with a storyline that includes seducing the Vice President’s daughter (naturally).
Following another attempt at rebooting the original film, which fell through in 2016, Deadline reported that a Cruel Intentions reboot was being developed to air on Amazon’s free streaming service, Freevee, back in 2021, in partnership with Sony Pictures Television, Amazon Studios, and Original Film. Now, it’s thought that it could premiere on Amazon Prime.
Writer Phoebe Fisher (who has also worked on Assassination Nation and Petra Collins’ Spiral) was originally working on the script alongside Sara Goodman. Both writers also previously worked on the TV series reboot of another Sarah Michelle Gellar-starring classic, I Know What You Did Last Summer.
In 2020, Gellar reunited with her Cruel Intentions co-star Selma Blair to recreate their iconic kiss from the film, but is not expected to return for the reboot. Casting details for the series are yet to be announced.