As previously reported according to sources in April, a refreshed version of the 1999 cult film Cruel Intentions, which had been in development at Amazon Freevee since 2021, was serialized on the streaming platform.
However, there was a possibility that the film would shift to Prime Video, which has now been confirmed. Cruel Intentions will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
The cast, pictured clockwise, includes Sarah Catherine Hook (First Kill), Zac Burgess (One Night (2023)), Savannah Lee Smith (Gossip Girl (2021)), Sara Silva (American Horror Stories), Khobe Clarke (Firefly Lane, Yellowjackets), John Harlan Kim (The Last Thing He Told Me, 9-1-1), Brooke Lena Johnson (You) and Sean Patrick Thomas (Gen V).
Claire Forlani (Domina), Nikki Crawford (Crown Lake), Isabella Tagliati, Zeke Goodman (I Know What You Did Last Summer) and Jon Tenney (Major Crimes) have recurring roles.
The series adaptation comes from writers Phoebe Fisher and Sara Goodman, Sony Pictures Television, Amazon MGM Studios and Original Film.
In the new film adaptation, Cruel Intentions is set at an elite school in Washington, D.C., where a ruthless stepbrother and stepsister do everything they can to stay at the top of the cutthroat social hierarchy. After a brutal hazing incident threatens the entire Panhellenic system at their school, they do everything they can to maintain their power and reputation, even if it means seducing the daughter of the Vice President of the United States.
“From the ‘90s cult-classic film to the 18th-century novel from which it was adapted, Cruel Intentions has captivated audiences with a story that transcends time,” said Lauren Anderson, head of AVOD originals, unscripted, and targeted programming, Amazon MGM Studios.
“We are beyond thrilled to share the next chapter of Cruel Intentions’ intriguing interplay of deception, wit, and reckoning with Prime customers and couldn’t be more appreciative of the commitment, dedication, and talent from this entire team – our incredible cast, endlessly clever writers, led by Phoebe and Sara, our fantastic partners at Sony and Original Film, and the executives that led the way at Amazon MGM Studios.”
Goodman (I Know What You Did Last Summer, Preacher) and Fisher (I Know What You Did Last Summer) are the series' writers and executive producers. Other executive producers include the film's original producer Neal H. Moritz and Pavun Shetty (Original Film) and the film's original writer-director Roger Kumble.
“We are so excited to get to work together to continue the legacy of Cruel Intentions, a film that remains beloved by so many—including us!“ said executive producers Sara Goodman and Phoebe Fisher. “We promise to make this next iteration as fun, irreverent, and boundary-pushing as the original, and are grateful to our partners at Original Film, Sony, and Amazon MGM Studios for trusting us to keep it Cruel.”
Added Lauren Stein, Head of Creative, Sony Pictures Television: “Cruel Intentions defined an era and is still a centerpiece in popular culture. We are excited to have Phoebe and Sara bring this new adaptation to life, as this has been a passion project of ours since I got to Sony. We are grateful for our partners at Prime Video, Amazon MGM Studios and Original Film, who brought the movie to life over 20 years ago.”