American Psycho remake struggles to cast Patrick Bateman

Over a quarter of a century after its 2000 release, American Psycho remains a cult classic, and director Luca Guadagnino is moving forward with a remake. Novelist Bret Easton Ellis said on his podcast, “A couple of high-profile actors, whom I can’t name, have turned it down.

I think maybe because they don’t want to be in the shoes of Christian Bale.” Even now, Bale's performance as Patrick Bateman is still regarded as iconic. At one point Jacob Elordi (Wuthering Heights, Frankenstein) and Austin Butler (Dune: Part Two, Elvis) were rumored to be circling the role.

It’s not clear they remain among the contenders, and Ellis suggested some actors have already passed. Ellis also said the new film will take a very different approach: “From what I’m told, this movie is completely different from Mary Harron’s 2000 movie. It’s a completely different take, and going to bear no resemblance to that movie.” Guadagnino is collaborating with screenwriter Scott Z.

american psycho, patrick bateman, luca guadagnino, bret easton, christian bale, jacob elordi, austin butler, scott z, mary harron, remake