‘Cruel Intentions’ TV Creators on Sex Scenes, Changing the Ending

The hit 1999 film “Cruel Intentions” has been revived in a new Prime Video series, and it still has the power to make audiences blush. The story of high-society stepsiblings Sebastian and Kathryn, played by Ryan Phillippe and Sarah Michelle Gellar respectively, remains as scandalous and captivating as ever.

In this new adaptation, viewers are introduced to a modern-day pair of stepsiblings, Lucien and Caroline, who navigate the cutthroat world of Greek life at Manchester University. Just like in the film, they are wealthy, entitled, and bored, leading them to seek out new thrills through manipulation and power plays. Their bet to seduce the most notoriously virginal student in school sets the stage for a series of steamy and scandalous events.

To sustain the story for potential future seasons, the showrunners have fleshed out the characters surrounding Lucien and Caroline. Cece serves as Caroline’s ambitious right hand, while Blaze, a queer character, is now a leader in Lucien’s fraternity. The addition of new characters and storylines adds depth and complexity to the narrative, keeping viewers engaged and invested in the drama.

One of the biggest changes in this new adaptation is the ending. Unlike the film, where Sebastian meets a tragic end, Lucien continues to deceive and manipulate those around him. His betrayal of Annie and Caroline leads to a shocking revelation that exposes his true nature. The use of self-filmed sex tapes and revenge porn adds a modern twist to the classic tale of deceit and manipulation.

In the season’s final moments, Lucien crosses a line by sleeping with his stepmother, adding another layer of taboo and scandal to the already twisted story. The implications of this betrayal and the fallout it will have on the characters’ relationships and dynamics set the stage for future seasons of intrigue and drama.

Overall, the new Prime Video series “Cruel Intentions” successfully captures the essence of the original film while adding new layers of complexity and modernity to the story. With its scandalous plot twists and steamy encounters, it’s sure to keep audiences on the edge of their seats and eagerly awaiting what comes next in this captivating tale of power, sex, and manipulation. And speaking of winning, Lucien certainly seems to think he’s achieved a major victory in his ongoing game with Caroline. As the season cuts to black, he sends her a video of his dirty deed with her mother, Claudia. The shock and horror on Caroline’s face are only hinted at by a call from Lucien that she sends straight to voicemail, as he drives off in smug victory.

This final revenge from Lucien sets the stage for a potentially explosive second season, should the show get renewed. The creators of the series, Sara Goodman and Phoebe Fisher, spoke to Variety about the challenges of adapting the iconic film “Cruel Intentions” for a modern audience. They emphasize the importance of honoring the tone and spirit of the original movie while creating new characters and conflicts for an ongoing series.

One of the biggest challenges they faced was balancing the desire to pay homage to the film while also creating something new and fresh. They wanted to capture the sexy, privileged, and exclusive world of the original movie while also exploring new dynamics between the characters. The ending of the series diverges significantly from the film, leaving the door open for Lucien to return in future episodes.

Goodman and Fisher drew on their experience working on other adaptations, such as “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” to inform their approach to “Cruel Intentions.” They wanted to stay true to the spirit of the original material while also updating it for a modern audience. This meant navigating issues of language and tone, particularly in a world where characters can say and do whatever they want without fear of consequence.

In the world of “Cruel Intentions,” offensive language and behavior are par for the course, but the creators made deliberate choices about how to portray this in 2024. They wanted to stay true to the characters and their motivations while also being mindful of cultural sensitivities. This balance is reflected in the dialogue and interactions between the characters, with some language being toned down for a contemporary audience.

As Lucien’s final act of revenge plays out, the tension and drama are sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. With the promise of more twists and turns in a potential second season, fans of “Cruel Intentions” will be eagerly awaiting the next chapter in this dark and twisted world. How did that come about?

Goodman: We thought it was so cool to bring in Sean Patrick Thomas because he is such an iconic part of the original movie. And we wanted to do a little bit of a wink to that, but also to bring in some new blood. So we thought it would be fun to have him play a different character, but still have that connection to the original film. And he was so game for it.

Fisher: It was really exciting to have him on set and see him bring a new character to life. It was like a little nod to the fans of the original film, but also a fresh take on his acting abilities.

Looking ahead to Season 2, what can viewers expect in terms of character development and storylines?

Goodman: I think viewers can expect to see even more depth to the characters they already know and love. We want to continue exploring their relationships and motivations, while also introducing some new faces and storylines to keep things fresh and exciting.

Fisher: And of course, there will be plenty of twists and turns along the way. We want to keep viewers on the edge of their seats and guessing what will happen next. Season 2 is going to be a wild ride, that’s for sure.

Any final thoughts on the success of “Cruel Intentions” and what it means for the future of the show?

Goodman: We are so grateful for the support and love that fans have shown for the show. It’s been an incredible journey so far, and we are excited to continue telling these stories and bringing these characters to life. The success of the show only motivates us to keep pushing the boundaries and exploring new territory in Season 2 and beyond.

Fisher: It’s truly a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in the show. We couldn’t do it without the amazing cast, crew, and fans who have made “Cruel Intentions” such a success. We can’t wait to see where the story takes us next.

Sean was a key addition to the new iteration of the story, as his character had the potential to bridge the gap between the film and TV versions. In the original movie, his character was merely a prop, but in the TV series, there was an opportunity to explore his relationship with Cece in a deeper and more meaningful way. This new version of Sean’s character allowed for a more complex and developed storyline, which was an exciting prospect for the creators.

One of the major changes in the TV series was the decision to keep Lucien alive, unlike in the film where Ryan Phillippe’s character met a tragic end. This alteration allowed for a new direction for the story, with Lucien facing consequences for his actions and having to deal with the aftermath of his schemes. The question of what Caroline and Annie might have to say to Lucien, as well as the involvement of his father in future seasons, added layers of intrigue to the narrative.

The creators hinted at the possibility of incorporating other actors from the original movie into future seasons, but acknowledged the challenges of integrating iconic characters into their world. While they were open to the idea, they emphasized the importance of finding an organic way for these actors to fit into the series without overshadowing the new characters and storylines.

Despite the changes and updates to the story, one thing remained constant in the TV series – the presence of sex and desire. The creators made it clear that this aspect of the show would not be abandoned, ensuring that the themes of passion and intrigue that defined the original movie would still be prevalent in the new adaptation.

In conclusion, Sean’s character served as a crucial link between the film and TV versions of the story, offering a fresh perspective and new possibilities for the narrative. With the introduction of new characters, complex storylines, and a renewed focus on themes of sex and power, the TV series successfully reimagined the classic tale of manipulation and deceit for a modern audience.