NBC has casted the lead role in its series version of Cruel Intentions. Taylor John Smith will play the role of Bash Casey, Annette and Sebastian’s son, according to Variety.
The series will take place 15 years after the events of the film, with Bash discovering his father’s journal and soon becomes introduced to a life he could never imagine.
The show will also feature a plot revolving Kathryn Merteuil as she tries to gain control of Valmont International and control Bash.
On Feb. 24, 2016, Variety confirmed that Sarah Michelle Gellar will reprise her role as Kathryn Merteuil. While Reese Witherspoon’s character, Annette Hargrove, is still alive in the series, she will not take part in the revival. Casting directors are now looking for someone to play the role.
The revival of Cruel Intentions on NBC is another example of something from the 90s coming back for a revival. Others include the recent revival The X Files on Fox and the upcoming Fuller House series on Netflix.
Roger Kumble, who directed and wrote the original movie, will executive produce and direct the pilot episode, which was written by Lindsey Rosin and Jordan Ross.
News of the revival was first reported in October, when NBC bought the script from Kumble. According to Variety, many of the networks competed against each other to see who would get the script.
Last summer, Witherspoon, Gellar and Selma Blair, who had a supporting role in the original movie, all reunited for the Cruel Intentions musical in Los Angeles. The musical was written by Lindsey Rosin and Jordan Ross, who wrote the pilot episode. Variety said that Kumble loved the musical so much that he decided to adapt the movie into a TV series with Rosin and Ross.
The plot of the original movie shows Merteuil (Gellar) making a deal with her stepbrother, Sebastian Valmont (Ryan Phillippe). If he is successfully able to seduce the new girl, Annette Hargrove (Witherspoon), then Sebastian gets to be with Merteuil. If Valmont fails, Merteuil gets his car, which is his most prized possession. Valmont agrees to the deal and is successful in seducing Hargrove, but he falls in love with her too.
When Hargrove finds out about the agreement, she runs off, with Valmont running after her. He gets hit by a car and dies. During his funeral, Cecile Caldwell distributes copies of Valmont’s secret journal and Merteuil is mortified. Hargrove takes Valmont’s car and drives off as she remembers their time together.
The original success of the movie was a surprise, as it was a low-budget movie that went on to make millions at the box office.
The original movie is currently streaming on Netflix.