Sharon Stone Says She Was Paid £400k for Basic Instinct as Michael Douglas Made £11m and a Producer Kept Calling Her 'Karen'

Before Basic Instinct became one of the most talked-about thrillers of the 1990s, Sharon Stone and Michael Douglas were already generating sparks – but not the romantic kind.

In a recent Business Insider interview, the Oscar-nominated actress revealed that their working relationship began with a public shouting match in Cannes, a huge pay gap, and even on-set name-calling that she says left a lasting sting.

A Screaming Match in Cannes

Stone said she first clashed with Douglas during a group conversation at the Cannes Film Festival, before casting for Basic Instinct had begun. Douglas was speaking critically about someone and their children, people she knew well. When she defended them, he allegedly snapped: 'What the f*** do you know?' across the room.

Unfazed, Stone said she pushed back her chair and challenged him: 'Let's step outside.' The two did just that before parting on civil terms. Stone believes the encounter coloured Douglas's initial reluctance to work with her.

According to Business Insider, Douglas's representative said he 'doesn't recall seeing or knowing Sharon' until director Paul Verhoeven showed him her screen test, and that the only time he remembers being in Cannes with her was to promote the completed film. Page Six separately reported Stone's account of the confrontation.

Casting on an Uneven Playing Field

When Basic Instinct was cast, Douglas was already a Hollywood A-lister, while Stone was still a relative unknown. She claims Douglas refused to test with her, joking: 'Michael Douglas did not want to put his bare ass out on the screen with an unknown.'

The disparity extended to pay. Stone has said she earned about $500,000 (£400,000) for her now-iconic role as crime writer Catherine Tramell, while Douglas reportedly took home $14 million (£11 million) as detective Nick Curran – nearly 27 times her salary.

The 'Karen' Insult On Set

Adding insult to injury, Stone says a male line producer repeatedly called her 'Karen' throughout the shoot, despite it not being her name. 'I carried that humiliation really deeply within me,' she recalled, adding that the nickname even followed her to high-profile events after the film's release.

Stone told Business Insider that while the role made her an international star, it did not immediately bring her respect in Hollywood.

Tension That Fuelled the Film

Despite the rocky start, Stone believes the tension between her and Douglas ultimately worked in the film's favour. 'I was not rattled if he yelled at me, and that was interesting for the character because Michael has a temper, and I did not care,' she said.

The result was an on-screen relationship that crackled with the same intensity as their off-screen friction. Over time, the pair moved past their early clashes. 'Eventually, we became the greatest of friends, to this day. I admire him tremendously,' Stone said.

Douglas's team disputes her recollection, maintaining he first met her during the screen test and that Cannes only entered the picture during the film's promotion.

Why the Pay Gap Still Matters

Stone's comments have reignited discussion about Hollywood's gender pay gap and on-set treatment. Her £400,000 paycheque compared to Douglas's £11 million is still held up as a striking example of inequality in the industry.

She has since used her platform to speak openly about sexism, wage disparity and on-set disrespect, linking her own experiences to wider systemic issues facing women in entertainment.

A Legacy Beyond the Film

While Basic Instinct remains one of the most iconic erotic thrillers ever made, Stone's candid accounts add a behind-the-scenes reality to the movie's legacy. Her story is not only about a career-defining role but also about resilience – proving that speaking out about inequity and mistreatment can become an enduring part of an artist's legacy.