Stone signs for Basic Instinct 2

Sharon Stone rocketed to fame in the orginal film

Actress Sharon Stone has signed a multi-million dollar deal to return as murder suspect Catherine Tramell in Basic Instinct 2.

The 42-year-old actress is thought to have been offered around $15m (£10m) to reprise the role which made her a worldwide star, reports the Hollywood trade newspaper Variety.

Neither Stone's original co-star, Michael Douglas, director Paul Verhoeven nor screenwriter Joe Eszterhas will take part in the sequel, which took $400m across the globe in 1993.

Michael Douglas will not be appearing in the second film

The new film has been written by Henry Bean and Leora Barish, who were behind Madonna's 1985 picture Desperately Seeking Susan.

It is being financed and produced by Mario Kassar and Andy Vajna, the men behind the original film's studio, Carolco.

Stone told Variety: "Now the project is in the hands of our original producers and my old friends Mario and Andy, I felt assured this project will be made with respect to the spirit of the original.

"I'm hoping that this will also be a two-box-of-popcorn fun experience."

Kassar and Vajna said in a statement: "We are thrilled to have Sharon on board for the film.

"The first film could not have been made without Sharon's mesmerizing performance, and we believe her return engagement will be even more exciting."

Earlier this week, Stone revealed she had adopted a baby boy, Roan, with her husband Phil Bronstein.