Cronenberg 'to direct' Basic Instinct 2

Crash: Cronenberg's film caused widespread controversy

David Cronenberg, the director of controversial films Crash and Videodrome, is being lined up to direct Basic Instinct 2, according to reports.

Trade newspaper Variety reports that the Canadian director is in "advanced negotiations" to take the helm at the movie.

Actress Sharon Stone has already been signed up to reprise her role as the ice pick-wielding bisexual in the sequel.

Sharon Stone returns to star in Basic Instinct 2 but co-star Michael Douglas has no plans to join sequel

The original 1992 movie, which also starred Michael Douglas, was directed by Paul Verhoeven, whose latest film Hollowman stars Kevin Bacon.

Basic Instinct made a global star of Sharon Stone, who courted controversy and publicity in a famously-revealing scene.

Last month the Daily Mail newspaper reported that Verhoeven had walked away from the sequel because he felt the script was "sick".

According to the paper, he hurled the script across the room after reading the opening scenes.

Auteur

Apparently the sequel begins with Stone driving a Porsche while in an uncompromising position with a lover.

The car crashes, leaving the lover dead, and a forensic psychologist is sent to explore the mind of Catherine Tramell, played by Stone.

Stone is reportedly banking $15m (£10m) for her part in the sequel.

Michael Douglas has no plans to return in the sequel.

If Cronenberg is signed on as director it will be his most mainstream project to date.

The film maker has made his name as an auteur director, responsible for cult horror and science fiction movies such as Crash, ExistenZ, Videodrome and Scanners.

Crash, which focussed on a man who received sexual thrills from car crashes, caused widespread controversy when released.

The film won the special jury prize at Cannes in 1996 but was banned in many countries