Is Sarah Michelle Gellar Joining Cruel Intentions Reboot?

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Sarah Michelle Gellar

A lot of hits from the 90s and early 2000s are getting rebooted these days. Apart from the Harry Potter and Twilight books that are getting rebooted into a TV series, there is another movie that will be remade into a show.

Amazon Studios is said to be working on a limited series reboot for the romance drama, Cruel Intentions. This movie came out in 1999 and starred Sarah Michelle Gellar, Reese Witherspoon, Ryan Phillippe, and many others.

The reports reveal that the show will start filming in June 2023, but it's not yet clear if it will be released on Amazon Prime Video right away. More importantly, the official casting information of the show has not yet been announced.

With these reports, we're curious to know if any of the original cast members will be joining the Cruel Intentions reboot. Here's what we know so far.

Is Sarah Michelle Gellar Joining Cruel Intentions Reboot?

Sarah Michelle Gellar as Kathryn Merteuil in Cruel Intentions
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Credit: Columbia Pictures

Sarah Michelle Gellar starred in the original Cruel Intentions movie as the cunning Kathryn Merteuil. This was another breakout role for the actress after having starred in the series Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

With her strong portrayal in her role, many can't help but wonder if she will be joining the reboot. But unfortunately, the actress confirmed to Variety that she would not be involved in the reboot.

In 2016, the actress reprised her role in a pilot episode as an NBC potential series adaptation. Unfortunately, the network decided to skip the series, which deeply saddened Gellar.

Sarah Michelle Gellar as Kathryn Merteuil in Cruel Intentions
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Credit: Columbia Pictures

The actress revealed that this failed attempt was enough for her to move on from the role. In her Variety interview, Gellar said:

"No [I'm not involved]. I’ve learned a lesson with that, which is it’s a very difficult process. And eventually, or inevitably, you’re going to be let down. Because some people want a new [version], some people want this, and my place in something like that only makes you compare it to the original. And if there’s a new take and new whatever, then they get a chance to stand on their own."

The 46-year-old actress was also hurt that she did not get contacted prior to the announcement of the reboot.

"In this instance I heard about it online. I was contacted afterwards, but I heard about it online."

How Many Times Has a Cruel Intentions Reboot Been Planned?

The Cruel Intentions reboot announced by Amazon Studios isn't the first announcement. There were two other TV reboots planned in previous years.

Ryan Phillippe as Sebastian Valmont, Sarah Michelle Gellar as Kathryn Merteuil in Cruel Intentions
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Credit: Columbia Pictures

Unfortunately, none of those planned TV reboots were able to get greenlit.

Fox worked on a two-episode prequel series of the movie and called it Manchester Prep. But before it could go on air, the show was canceled.

The material, however, was used in the 2000 film, Cruel Intentions 2.

NBC also worked on a follow-up series in 2016 but unexpectedly plugged the plug on the project. The show had already signed up Gellar to reprise her iconic role.

How Many Cruel Intentions Films Are There?

Reese Witherspoon as Annette Hargrove in Cruel Intentions
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Credit: Columbia Pictures

The original Cruel Intentions film came out in 1999 and was written and directed by Roger Kumble. After the success of the movie, a prequel (Cruel Intentions 2) was released in 2000.

A third movie, entitled Cruel Intentions 3, also came out in 2004. Unfortunately, neither of the two films was able to match the cult-classic status of the original film.

What Will the Cruel Intentions Reboot Be About?

Sarah Michelle Gellar as Kathryn Merteuil in Cruel Intentions
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Credit: Columbia Pictures

Reports reveal that the Cruel Intentions reboot will somewhat follow the story of the original movie. This time around, however, the show will be set in Washington, DC, and will follow the story of two power-hungry step-siblings in college.

Unfortunately, a hazing incident threatens to break their position. As a way of holding onto their hierarchy, they plan to seduce the daughter of the vice president.

We'll update this post once more information becomes available.

When Is the Cruel Intentions Reboot Coming Out?

Ryan Phillippe as Sebastian Valmont, Reese Witherspoon as Annette Hargrove in Cruel Intentions
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Credit: Columbia Pictures

Upon writing, a release date for the Cruel Intentions reboot has not yet been announced. But the show is said to start filming in Toronto in June 2023.

If nothing breaks their schedule, it's possible that the show could come out later this year.




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