Settlement Near in Suit Over ‘Basic Instinct 2’

It had the ingredients of a juicy Tinseltown courtroom spectacle: Actress Sharon Stone versus Mario Kassar and Andy Vajna, the star and producers of the 1992 erotic thriller “Basic Instinct.”

The tabloids might have dubbed the dispute “The Diva vs. the Rambo Boys,” with Stone as plaintiff opposite defendants Kassar and Vajna, whose colorful history goes back to their days making the high-octane “Rambo” movies with Sylvester Stallone and the “Terminator” action films starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Now a trial looks unlikely. A tentative agreement reached on Friday could end the lawsuit that Stone filed after plans to make a sequel collapsed. Bert Fields, Stone’s attorney, said the actress and the producers had agreed in principle to settle claims that Stone was owed $14 million for agreeing to star in “Basic Instinct 2,” which was axed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. during preproduction several years ago.

Settling the suit, which was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court in June 2001, could pave the way for the 46-year-old Stone -- who plays a villain opposite Halle Berry in the upcoming “Catwoman” -- to reprise the role that shot her to stardom.

Fields said that “everyone is pointing toward” making the sequel but that “the picture has not been greenlit.” He declined to provide other details about the settlement.

MGM said Tuesday that it would stay creatively involved in any sequel plans but would only distribute the film, leaving Kassar and Vajna to find financing. In a statement, MGM Vice Chairman Chris McGurk said: “We always loved this script and we look forward to the right elements coming together to get the picture made.”

Neither Stone nor the producers would comment.

Just last week, entertainment media reported on perks Stone is said to have demanded for filming “Basic Instinct 2” -- among them a $3,500-a-week expense allowance, three nannies, Pilates equipment, the use of a private jet, a rented convertible with a nonsmoking chauffeur and rental cars for her hairstylist, dresser and makeup artist.

Court files in the lawsuit describe attempts to land a director and a male costar suitable to all concerned. Stone approved a list of more than 10 actors -- including Robert Downey Jr., Rupert Everett, Javier Bardem, Gabriel Byrne, Benicio Del Toro, Viggo Mortensen, Aaron Eckhart, Jude Law, Ewan McGregor and Kurt Russell -- the files show.