So, how did Eszterhas find the inspiration to create modern femme fatale Catherine Tramell and detective-with-demons Nick Curran? Well, enter Eszterhas’ previous career as a police reporter for Cleveland’s The Plain Dealer. Eszterhas had previously found success with “Flashdance” in 1983, and had penned family films (“Big Shots), comedies (“Checking Out”), and romances (“Hearts on Fire”), as well as psychological thrillers like “Jagged Edge” and “Betrayed” before writing “Basic Instinct,” which sold for a then jaw-dropping $3 million. Screenwriter and former Rolling Stone investigative reporter Joe Eszterhas wrote “Basic Instinct” in just 13 days, per Esquire. “Basic Instinct” Is Based on Real People “Basic Instinct” TriStar Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection In honor of the film’s 30th anniversary, we uncovered all the elements that went into the film’s lasting legacy. 'Women championed that movie men were obsessed with a woman who could make it stop.Sharon Stone Says Paul Verhoeven Played Every Other ‘Basic Instinct’ Screen Test Against Hers - None Measured Up It's about more than just a peek up my skirt, people. 'Do you have any idea how many people have watched Basic Instinct in the last 20-something years?' Stone goes on to say. Stone explains in her book that her lawyer, Marty Singer, claimed that the shot had been taken illegally, but she later allowed the shot to be used in the film. She says that she first saw the scene in 'a room full of agents and lawyers, most of whom had nothing to do with the project' and immediately went and slapped director Paul Verhoeven.

'We can't see anything, I just need you to remove your panties, as the white is reflecting the light, so we know you have panties on,' Stone says she was told. In her forthcoming memoir, Stone explains that she was tricked into not wearing underwear for that scene over a supposed lighting issue.

Sharon Stone has revealed the story behind her famous leg cross in 'Basic Instinct', the movie which shot her to international stardom.

Leg crossing scene from basic instinct