'Basic Instinct' Star Sharon Stone Reflects on Iconic Leg-Crossing Scene

In a recent interview, acclaimed actress and producer Sharon Stone has shared an intriguing behind-the-scenes story about the iconic leg-crossing scene from the 1992 film 'Basic Instinct'. Stone, who played the role of crime novelist Catherine Tramell, revealed that she had the legal right to remove the controversial scene, which featured her not wearing underwear while being questioned by Detective Nick Curran (played by Michael Douglas).

However, Stone chose not to exercise that right, even though she initially felt uncomfortable with the scene. "Once I had time to calm down, I didn't make him [director Paul Verhoeven] take it out of the movie when I had the legal right to," she explained. Stone understood that the scene, while provocative, ultimately made the movie better.

The filming of 'Basic Instinct' was not without its challenges. Stone shared that the intense pressure on set took a toll on everyone involved, with director Verhoeven even ending up in the hospital due to a ruptured sinus and nosebleed. "Now people walk around showing their penises on Netflix, but in the olden days, what we were doing was very new," Stone added, highlighting the groundbreaking nature of the film's content at the time.

Despite the controversy, Stone maintains a positive relationship with Verhoeven and has no regrets about her decision to keep the iconic leg-crossing scene in the final cut of the film. "What I did with what happened is exactly the way I wanted to do it. Verhoeven and I have a wonderful relationship," she said.