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Sharon Stone’sBasic Instincthas been one of the most highly appreciated classic movies of all time. The 1992 neo-noir erotic thriller film not only catapulted Stone’s career but also turned the director Paul Verhoeven into one of the most renowned filmmakers of all time. However, followingBasic Instinct, Verhoeven came up with another erotic thrillerShowgirls,which nearly starred Charlize Theron.
However, Paul Verhoeven decided not to cast Theron, as he believed it might end her career. Thus, Sharon Stone’sBasic Instinctdirector ended up casting Elizabeth Berkley inShowgirls.And certainly, the fear that led Verhoeven to protect Charlize Theron, ended up ruining Berkley’s career. And the director failed to protect his actress.
Also read:“She just shoved me in one of the takes”: Before Sharon Stone’s Slap, Kaley Cuoco Nearly Got Hurt by Her The Big Bang Theory Co-Star for a Similar Reason
Sharon Stone’sBasic InstinctDirector Saved Charlize Theron’s Career
Following the release of the 1992 neo-noir erotic thrillerBasic InstinctstarringSharon Stone, director Paul Verhoeven earned immense fame, which even led him to come up with another erotic thriller in 1995. WithShowgirls, Verhoeven narrated the story of an aspiring showgirl determined to climb to the top of the entertainment industry.
Looking for actresses to play the lead role before Elizabeth Berkley committed to the character,Charlize Theronauditioned for the movie. During an interview withMTV News,the actress revealed how the director was once interested in her but ended up striking a deal with Berkley.
“It was the second audition I ever went to. From what I hear, they really liked me. I think the talks fell through with the actress [Elizabeth Berkley] that ended up doing it…But at some point [director] Paul [Verhoeven] was interested in me doing it, yeah.”
Later on, Paul Verhoeven revealed during an interview withNew York Daily NewsviaContact Music,that he didn’t choose Theron as she didn’t fit the character well. Further reflecting upon Hollywood’s atrocities, the director even added that losing the role was a blessing in disguise.
“She was very lucky that she did not get the part. I wish Charlize congratulations for that because it would have been a miserable 20 years for her!”
Also read:“I will never do it again”: Marvel Star Charlize Theron Openly Refused She’ll Never Do One Thing While Taking on Movie Roles
Paul Verhoeven Couldn’t Protect HisShowgirlsActress Elizabeth Berkley
However, while Sharon Stone’s 1992 erotic thriller director Paul Verhoeven luckily saved Charlize Theron’s career, after refusing to cast her inShowgirls, he failed to protect his film’s actress Elizabeth Berkley. Choosing Berkley over Theron, as theAtomic Blondeactress failed to impress Verhoeven, the director saved her career from being tanked because of the 1995 movie.
Certainly, a similar fate was served byElizabeth BerkleyasShowgirlsexperienced a brutal reception, which ended up with the actress facing media attacks. During an interview withPeople,Berkley revealed no one came to her rescue, despite knowing none of it was her fault. Which ended up with Verhoeven feeling guilty and apologizing later.
“Of course it was disappointing that it didn’t do well, but there was so much cruelty around it. I was bullied. And I didn’t understand why I was being blamed. The job as an actor is to fulfill the vision of the director. And I did everything I was supposed to do.”
In the end, according toNew York Daily NewsviaContact Music,Paul Verhoevenissued an apology to Berkley, stating, “Hollywood turned their backs on her. If somebody has to be blamed, it should be me because I thought that it was interesting to portray someone like that”. Thus, while the director luckily saved Charlize Theron’s career, he failed to protect his actress, Elizabeth Berkley from the wrath of the media, forShowgirls.
WatchShowgirlson Amazon Prime Video.
Read more:Leonardo DiCaprio and His “Pus*y Posse” Allegedly Invited Elizabeth Berkley For a Dinner Without Her Boyfriend, Got Slapped With a $45 Million Lawsuit After Horrible Turn of Events
Source:MTV News, New York Daily News (viaContact Music),People
Krittika Mukherjee
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3219
Krittika Mukherjee is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on films, TV shows, and celebrity news with over 3,000 articles published. With an educational background in Journalism, and a keen interest in filmmaking, Krittika blends factual precision with creative flair, when crafting her editorials, or dissecting fan theories.Her coverage often includes news and analyses of critically acclaimed films, celebrity news, and franchises like the Wizarding World, LOTR, DC, and MCU—particularly Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, Superheroes, and fan theories. As a Wizarding World aficionado, Krittika has spent countless hours exploring hidden backstories, unadapted book moments, spells, and trivias surrounding J.K. Rowling’s lore.An imaginative writer with a way with words, Krittika has worked as an entertainment journalist for the past two years and a web content writer for a year. She brought her experience and expertise to FandomWire to pursue her desire for sipping coffee while dissecting films and tracking celebrity drama.
