In creating “Cruel Intentions,” we had constant conversations about each scene to ensure they were organic to our world and characters true. We could back up why certain scenes served a purpose. Sony and Amazon trusted us with that approach, as the show evolved from the film’s framework.
⚠️ WARNING: This discussion may reveal plot details about the 1999 movie “Cruel Intentions” as well as the entire first season of the newly released Prime Video series. Proceed with caution if you wish to avoid spoilers!
Twenty-five years later, “Cruel Intentions” will still make you blush.
The 1999 film “Cruel Intentions,” starring Ryan Phillippe as Sebastian and Sarah Michelle Gellar as Kathryn, portrays these high-society step-siblings using their privilege to exploit the remaining innocence of their peers in an attempt to alleviate their boredom. Despite being somewhat progressive for its time, it’s a movie that wouldn’t be produced today due to its questionable language and frequent, sometimes controversial sexual content. This film served as a cultural jolt towards the end of the last millennium.
One of the numerous hurdles encountered when crafting this updated narrative was capturing just a fraction of that original spirit. However, perhaps the most daunting task for “Cruel Intentions” was to breathe life into an age-old story about wielding power through intimacy, making it resonate and feel groundbreaking in today’s Gen Z era – a generation that is known for its disinterest in sexually explicit content on screen and in television.
In the current series streaming on Prime Video, viewers are reintroduced to an intriguing duo of step-siblings – sexually adventurous playboy Lucien (Zac Burgess) and power-hungry sorority president Caroline (Sarah Catherine Hook) – who dominate the social scene at Manchester University. Much like the original film, they are privileged individuals with an insatiable appetite for what they can’t possess. For Lucien, it’s his stepsister. For Caroline, it’s the exhilaration of controlling her stepbrother. To keep things exciting, they engage in a wager: If Lucien manages to seduce Annie Grover (Savannah Lee Smith), the vice president’s daughter and the most chaste student at the school who is also Caroline’s sought-after sorority pledge, then he can have his stepsister as he desires. If Caroline wins, she takes possession of his vintage car and enjoys his defeat.
To maintain the narrative for possible upcoming seasons, co-showrunners Sara Goodman and Phoebe Fisher needed to expand beyond the base of the original movie. Initially, they developed characters associated with the ruthless duo at the heart of “Cruel Intentions”. Cece (formerly played by Selma Blair), now acts as Caroline’s determined but inexperienced right-hand within their sorority. Blaze (inspired by a character originally played by Joshua Jackson) is now a prominent figure in Lucien’s fraternity, working alongside their new president and lover, Scott (Khobe Clarke). Sean Patrick Thomas portrays Professor Chadwick, a well-meaning educator who finds himself drawn to his teaching assistant, Cece. (Film fans will recognize Thomas as previously playing a similar character in the role of Ronald, a young music teacher smitten with Blair’s Cecile.)
To maintain the longevity of “Cruel Intentions” beyond its initial cinematic version, a fresh conclusion was essential. In the movie, Sebastian manages to win over Annette (played by Reese Witherspoon), the headmaster’s daughter, in his pursuit. However, contrary to his original intentions, he develops feelings for Annette and calls off the bet with Kathryn. Tragically, Sebastian dies in a car accident while trying to save Annette. Following his funeral, Sebastian’s diary of conquests is published by Annette and Cece, revealing the cruelty that both Sebastian and Kathryn had inflicted on others.
In the show, Lucien manages to continue his deceitful ways. Following their encounter, he admits his treacherous scheme to Annie and ends their relationship due to a mix of guilt and fear. He also forfeits his wager with Caroline by lying about failing, then exposing her insecurities. Unlike Sebastian’s diary, Lucien’s romantic encounters are recorded on self-made video tapes, which he occasionally sends to Caroline for viewing. To get revenge on him, Caroline decides to leak these videos across the entire university, unleashing a form of vengeful pornography.
However, it’s revealed that Lucien has one more strategic move against his stepsister. In the climax of the season, he engages in an intimate encounter with his stepmother, Claire Forlani – a calculating woman who often belittles her daughter and flirts inappropriately with her stepson. It remains unclear how Lucien’s father will respond to this transgression, but it seems likely that he is well-versed in such tactics. As a final act of retaliation before the season ends, Lucien appears to send Caroline a video of his actions with her mother. Her response to this revelation is hinted at only through a missed call and a smug goodbye as Lucien triumphantly departs.
After the period of betrayal, Goodman and Fisher had discussions with “EbMaster” about preserving the sultry image of “Cruel Intentions.” They stood firm against network suggestions to tone down the language in the movie. Moreover, they hinted at potential cast members if the series were to continue for a second season.
What was the biggest challenge in adapting the film?
Sara Goodman: The main hurdle was our deep-seated affection for the film. We didn’t want to antagonize the movie’s fans, but we also didn’t desire a remake. Instead, we aimed for a series. Similar to how “Cruel Intentions” was an adaptation of “Dangerous Liaisons,” our project is a fresh take on the movie, featuring new characters and a setting in ancient Greece, which shares the original’s opulence, exclusivity, humor, and sensuality. However, to sustain a series, we needed to develop characters with internal struggles and external conflicts, as well as complex relationships between them. So, keeping the film’s tone in mind, we crafted an independent series based on those elements.
Was there anything about the movie that was hard to cut but didn’t suit the series framework?
Phoebe Fisher: Absolutely, let’s discuss the different conclusion compared to the film. Given that this is an on-going narrative, there are still some unresolved aspects regarding Lucien. All I can tell you is that we haven’t finished his story yet.
You were both involved with Prime Video’s adaptation of “I Know What You Did Last Summer.” What lessons did you learn on that series that helped you here?
Goodman: I really enjoyed “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” but the tone everyone expected from the movie was quite distinct, and unfortunately, that wasn’t what we got. Amazon, Sony, and ourselves all felt it necessary for this series to align more closely with the film. Although a continuing series can’t be built around a single movie’s narrative, we aimed to preserve the movie’s wicked, seductive humor while staying faithful to its essence. I’m extremely proud of our work here, ensuring that even though some viewers might be disappointed by the different story or characters, at least we stayed true to the “Cruel Intentions” universe.
“Cruel Intentions” exists in a world of callous insensitivity, where people can say and do whatever they want without fear of consequence. But some of the film’s famously offensive language doesn’t make it into your show. For example, the film features multiple characters using variations of the derogatory word “faggot.” But in a scene in Episode 4 of this show, Scott simply says “f-slur” in a sentence. That’s certainly sanded down, so how did you find the authentic language of this show in 2024?
Goodman: It is an interesting question, because it is one of the fine lines we had to walk. We actually had that particular f-word earlier in the series. Rourke said it to Blaze in the premiere. Instead of “fucker” [which the viewers hears], he originally said the other one. We were asked to take it out [by the network], and we objected to that because we felt he would use that language. That is how Rourke would talk to Blaze. But Scott, on the other hand, is someone who doesn’t use any f-words, period. He would never say a bad thing about any person, so for Scott it felt natural for him to say “f-slur” because that is the way he talks.
In our creative process, we strove diligently to craft authentic dialogues for our characters, ensuring their speech reflected their individual personalities rather than adhering to societal norms. This is a realm where bluntness and inappropriateness are commonplace, and we believe concealing this reality would be misleading. After all, people often say things that society deems inappropriate. Such is the essence of “Cruel Intentions!” While our character Scott may not fit this mold, the others certainly do.
Fisher: He’s a good boy!
Well, back to the language, it is interesting you had to fight for that word because in this upperclass world, that type of language is a reflection of the institution of tradition. Language like that is used by these privileged people because it has always been used by them.
Goodman: Absolutely correct. To clarify, we didn’t win that specific one, as you can tell from the program, but we did triumph in others. It’s intriguing to create a show these days with characters who speak in such a manner, and we don’t want to alter it because it reflects the world we inhabit and their perspectives on other people.
Fisher: I believe they all use a similar mode of speech, and it’s as if they share the same dialect or draw from the same sources of reference.
Just as a side note on Scott, please give the poor boy a nice boyfriend in Season 2. He deserves it after dealing with Blaze all season.
Goodman: Here’s the thing: Scott is genuinely discovering who he is, authentically speaking! Initially, there were doubts about his sexuality too, with people suggesting that he wasn’t aware or hiding something. But in truth, Scott was unaware of these feelings within himself. It was crucial for us to allow him to explore and understand himself freely. To me, this is true authenticity. We have a deep affection for Scott; he truly embodies the soul of this series. And we adore Khobe as well!
I find his character’s journey of exploration absolutely captivating, and I believe extending this journey into the next season could make for a delightful experience.
A recent report said that Gen Z wants less sex in their television, but “Cruel Intentions” is famous for its unencumbered horniness. Similar to the language, how do you honor the spirit of this film’s unapologetic sexuality without turning off that generation represented within it?
Fisher: It is a fine line making sure that where the sex was included, it felt driven by the story and it belonged in the story, and wasn’t excessive or for the sake of shock value.
Goodman: It seems they employ all their resources, including sex, as a means to gain power and play strategic games. We don’t depict sex because it’s sensual; rather, it’s part of the game, a power struggle. While I won’t say that genuine love excludes sex in this narrative, we use it in the show just like any other element –– to achieve our goals. Omission would feel dishonest.
Most of the sex scenes in your show involve Lucien, who certainly wields it as a form of power in the way you are referencing. Obviously, that comes back to bite him in the finale when Caroline distributes his cache of sex tapes to the entire university. Was it always intentional to have Lucien be more sexually present than other characters?
Goodman: Yes, indeed. We were quite focused on the characters’ traits, and for Lucien, sex functions similar to a topical anesthetic. To put it another way, if I were to use an ice pack on my back currently, sex would have a comparable effect on him.
Fisher: An emotional ice pack!
Goodman: Essentially, Lucien and Caroline use sex as a means to avoid emotions, especially when they’re feeling bored. We aim to portray this not only for shock value but to develop their characters and understand how they wield power in the world. If sex is used solely for shock value, Gen Z might find it dull. I hope they’re saying it lacks depth instead of denouncing sex altogether, because if it’s the latter, I wouldn’t agree!
Was this something you had to have constant conversations about as you are creating this show? Kind of taking the temperature of each scene, if you will.
Goodman: We managed to gain their confidence, both from Sony and Amazon. Our reasons for our actions were clear, although they might have been frustrating as a creator. However, it also forced us to consider the significance of our actions. For instance, why a specific character uses such language as the f-word. And more importantly, why using the word “fucking” is essential.
Did you ever have to go to bat for a specific sex scene or scale one back based on notes from the higher ups?
Fisher: I’m not convinced. In our case, maintaining an intriguing spark was key, yet avoiding explicit content simply for the sake of it. I believe we succeeded in doing this without having to make significant concessions.
Goodman: I think we got what we wanted.
Speaking of getting what you want, you got Sean Patrick Thomas back into this world in a similar, but somewhat grown-up role. What about Sean felt like he could bridge the film and TV versions of this story?
Fisher: We were thrilled to have Sean join this new chapter of the story as we felt there was much more depth to be explored in his relationship with Cece. Of course, he’s not exactly the same character, but our updated take on him is what drew us to him.
Goodman: Additionally, his tale in the movie concluded with him being little more than a tool. However, in Season 2, it’s far from over for his narrative. We found it intriguing to explore any potential redemption or retribution for him. Furthermore, we introduced an ex-wife character who also exploited him, which adds depth to his storyline. It was crucial for us to develop a genuine, multi-dimensional character for him with this internal conflict.
You changed the very famous ending of the movie, which left Ryan Phillippe’s character dead and his black book of conquests published for the world to see. But your character, Lucien, is alive. What does “Cruel Intentions” look like now that it has graduated from the film’s framework? What might Caroline have to say to Lucien if he ever picks up the phone?
Goodman: I’m not sure. What do your thoughts suggest she might say? I’m curious as to why she’s reaching out. Also, Annie’s on the line too, so what could that be about? Perhaps more importantly, where is Lucien headed off to?
Fisher: Is there really any way for him to come back from this? I don’t think so.
Goodman: What do you think his father will react when he discovers this? And what exactly is he returning to at the fraternity house? They’re searching his room right now. We’ll find out, but it’s safe to say that money can often resolve many complications.
Fisher: Money can buy you a new room, but can it buy you a new father?
So it is safe to say that, if you do get a Season 2, we will see Lucien’s father come into play?
Goodman: Oh, yes.
Fisher: We love a father figure.
Are you open to reaching out to other actors from the movie to appear in future seasons?
Goodman: I believe if there’s a natural approach, absolutely! However, they embody their film characters far more than Sean did his. There’s such a rich symbolism associated with those other roles that they would need to portray these characters. They would also have to seamlessly incorporate these characters into our world in a believable way. If this is achievable, I don’t think there’s any role or concept beyond reach.
So what you are saying is the original actors might not appear in your series, but at least you haven’t abandoned sex.
Goodman: Yes! If you can take anything from our show, it is that sex is alive and well.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
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2024-11-23 22:00