17 years after the originalCruel Intentionsdebuted on the big screen, the story will continue with a new NBC series. The network recently gave a green light for theCruel Intentionspilot episode, and nowDeadlinereports that the network is eyeing one of theoriginal movie’s stars,Sarah Michelle Gellar, to return. No offer is on the table yet, but the actress has been approached by the network, although it’s unclear if she will come back.
The original Cruel Intentions movie, based on the novel of the same name by Choderlos de Laclos, centered onSarah Michelle Gellar’s Kathryn Merteuil, who seeks revenge after being dumped by her beau Court Reynolds (Charlie O’Connell) for the innocent Cecile (Selma Blair). Kathryn challenges her step-brother Sebastian Valmont (Ryan Phillippe) to seduce Cecile, while, at the same time, they have an ongoing bet about whether or not Sebastian can seduce Annette Hargrove (Reese Witherspoon), the daughter of their private school’s headmaster. The original movie also starred Louise Fletcher,Joshua Jackson, Eric Mabius and Sean Patrick Thomas.
TheTV seriesis set 15 years after the events of the movie, centering on Kathryn Merteuil as she vies for control of Valmont International, along with the “soul” of Bash Casey, the son of Sebastian Valmont and Annette Hargrove. The series will be produced by the original movie’s writer-director Roger Kumble and producerNeal H. Moritz, along with Lindsey Rosin andJordan Ross. Both Lindsey Rosin andJordan Rosswere behind the stage productionThe Unauthorized Musical Parody Of Cruel Intentions, which debuted in Los Angeles this past May at Rockwell Table & Stag, and generated plenty of buzz. The stage play was attended by Roger Kumble,Sarah Michelle Gellar,Reese WitherspoonandSelma Blair.
Sony Pictures Television is producing alongsideNeal H. Moritz’s Original Film company and AMBI.Sarah Michelle Gellaris approached to star inpilotsevery year, but she has only boarded two pilots, The CW’sRingerand CBS' The Crazy Ones, both of which were picked up to series. She currently lends her voice to theInquisitorknown as the Seventh Sister in Disney XD’s hit animated seriesStar Wars Rebels.
This news comes just hours after we reported that CBS is eyeingEthan Hawketo reprise his role as Jake Hoyt in theirTraining DayTV series. CBS' new seriesLimitlessalso features the original movie’s starBradley Cooperin a recurring role, and Fox’s recent seriesMinority Reportfeatured a link to the movie with Daniel London reprising his role as the caretaker Wally. Do you thinkSarah Michelle Gellarshould return as Kathryn Merteuil in NBC’sCruel Intentions?
