The television adaptation of Fatal Attraction is set to begin production this summer. Released in 1987 with Michael Douglas and Glenn Close starring in the lead roles, Fatal Attraction focused on a weekend affair that turns into a dangerous one-sided obsession. The erotic thriller was a huge success upon its debut, garnering praise from critics and grossing $320 million at the box office against a reported budget of $14 million to become the highest-earning title of the year. Fatal Attraction was also a major player at awards ceremonies, and was nominated in six categories at the Oscars, including for Best Picture.

SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY

Back in November of 2021, it was announced that Paramount+ was moving forward with a Fatal Attraction television series. Lizzy Caplan would play the female lead, named Alex as in the film, while Joshua Jackson would play Dan Gallagher, the name of Douglas’ character. The project marks a reunion for Caplan and Jackson, who previously worked together on the Showtime series Masters of Sex. 

Fatal Attraction will begin production in the summer, as announced as part of the TCA presentation for Paramount+. The series will be written by Alexandra Cunningham based on a story she co-wrote with Kevin J. Hynes. Cunningham previously worked on several other series, including as the creator of Dirty John and as a writer on Desperate Housewives. Hynes, for his part, has written several episodes of dramas such as Perry Mason and Rake. He also worked with Cunningham on Dirty John.

Fatal Attraction promises to explore themes of marriage and infidelity through a modern lens, while also examining modern attitudes towards women, mental health, and the concept of control in relationships. From how the premise has been teased, it’s likely the case that the Fatal Attraction series will go deeper than its movie predecessor. In the decades since the original film was released, there have been many discussions regarding its portrayal of Alex. Some have argued that it is not meant as more than some fun movie melodrama, heightened by Close’s excellent performance. Others argue that, despite its success, Fatal Attraction and other stories like it perpetuate negative, misogynistic stereotypes through the depiction of its female lead.

Looking ahead to the rest of the upcoming projects from Paramount+, and like many of its competitors, the streaming service will rely on its legacy titles to draw subscribers. New versions of The Italian Job, Flashdance, Grease, and  The Fairly OddParents are all in various stages of pre-release. It remains to be seen how Fatal Attraction fares compared to the rest, and whether it’s a classic that’s best kept in the past, or whether Caplan and Jackson’s performances can reinvigorate the iconic film with a unique and nuanced take.

Source: Paramount+

Why A Mandalorian Director Loved Din Djarin Getting Injured In Boba Fett

About The Author


Abdullah Al-Ghamdi
(1121 Articles Published)

See also  Marvel: 15 Comic Book Objects You Didn't Know Were Made Of Adamantium

Abdullah Al-Ghamdi joined Screen Rant in August 2019, focusing on movie and television news. In January of the same year, he wrote a 3500+ word piece on why Primo Colón is underrated. He considers it his finest work. When he’s not arguing for the merits of his favorite wrestler, he can be reached at: [email protected].

More From Abdullah Al-Ghamdi