Cruel Intentions TV Series: The Plot And Reboot’s Major Differences
Sequels, reboots and remakes continue to dominate TV and film, and this year has been no different. 2024 has seen a string of cult classics return to our screens in re-imagined adaptations, bringing in new and original audiences.
From Wicked, Gladiators II, Mean Girls and Joker: Folie a Deux, next in line is Amazon Prime Video's fresh take on Cruel Intentions. The film was first released in 1999, and quickly reached major commercial success due to its themes of scandal, sexuality and tone.
However, the film was not without its criticism, and sure, it hasn’t aged well by some of today’s standards. Still, the TV series is expected to bring new life and relevancy to the original.
Ahead the series’ release, this is everything we know so far about Cruel Intentions remake.
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What will the plot of Cruel Intentions be?
Following on from the original, the Amazon Prime adaptation will include a similar plot line to the film, but of course, introduce its own twists and additions.
As per the series’ logline, viewers can expect the following: 'In this new adaptation, Cruel Intentions follows the elite students of Manchester College, a Washington, D.C.-adjacent university, where reputation means everything, fraternities and sororities are the gold standard, and two ruthless step-siblings, Caroline Merteuil and Lucien Belmont, will do anything to stay on top of the cutthroat social hierarchy.'
'After a brutal hazing incident threatens the entire Greek Life system, they’ll do whatever is necessary to preserve their power and reputation – even if that means seducing Annie Grover, the daughter of the Vice President of the United States. Hearts will be broken, loyalties will be tested, and secrets will be revealed in this modern-day royal court that is Manchester College.'
What are the differences between the 2024 Cruel Intentions TV Series and 1999 Film?
Over the course of the series, there are several major differences that can be seen in the characters, plot line and location.
Firstly, the series takes place in Washington D.C. at an elite college, as opposed to the initial setting of New York City. As well as this, some of the characters have different names – Annette for example, is now called Annie. Plus there a number of new characters, namely Beatrice, (Brooke Lena Johnson) a student activist who fights to uncover the indecent hazings (read: what can be quite violent or gross initiation techniques) which occur within sororities and fraternities.
As for the plot, the biggest difference to the original is the focus on the two stepsiblings trying to maintain their status in the Greek life social ladder of sororities and fraternities, following a hazing incident which threatens to ruin their reputations, which explains why the duo are after Annie Glover’s power and status, the daughter of the U.S. Vice President. The original saw the moneyed stepsiblings more within the New York social scene, living out a psychosexual fantasy game play and bet for the innocent new girl Annette. This game of seduction instead becomes an all out campus war.
Who will make up the cast of Cruel Intentions?
Keeping in line with the new direction of the film, the cast of the upcoming series is comprised of fresh-faced talent, as well as some reoccurring cast members.
Sarah Catherine Hook will portray Kathryn Merteuil, and starring alongside her is Zac Burgess who is set to star as her stepbrother Sebastian Valmont. Previously, Burgess has starred in One Night and Boy Swallows Universe, while Hook has featured in The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, American Crime Story and First Kill.
Joining them in the third leading role is Savannah Lee Smith, (Annette Hargrove) who has previously acted in the 2021 Gossip Girl reboot and Murder At The Mystery Party.
Fans of the original will be excited to see familiar faces, including the following: Sean Patrick Thomas, Laura Benanti, Jon Tenney, Claire Forlani, Nikki Crawford, Isabella Tagliati and Zeke Goodman. However, no Ryan Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon, Selma Blair or Sarah-Michelle Gellar.
When will Cruel Intentions air?
Cruel Intentions is set to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on Thursday November 21 in over 240 countries worldwide.
Is there A Cruel Intentions trailer?
Yes! You can find the trailer for the series at the top of this article. And as a nod to the original film, the trailer is set to a cover of '90s classic "Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve.
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