Austin Butler Was Born to Play the Wrong American Psycho Role

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In a recent conversation, the casting director for the initial ‘American Psycho’ film shares his thoughts on Austin Butler being an ideal fit for the main character in the forthcoming adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’ book, set to release in 2024 under the direction of Luca Guadagnino. The movie, written by Scott Z. Burns, is not a direct remake of the 2000 film starring Christian Bale; instead, it offers a fresh take inspired by the original novel. Whispers suggest that Butler could potentially secure the role of Patrick Bateman.

As a passionate cinephile, I’ve always been intrigued by the casting decisions in films, and the story behind American Psycho‘s Paul Allen role is one that particularly caught my attention. Kerry Barden, the casting director on Mary Harron’s masterpiece, recently shared some insights with The Hollywood Reporter. She mentioned that while Jared Leto was captivating in the role initially, she believes that Butler might be an even better fit for the character in future adaptations. Barden explained that they chose Leto due to his unique charm, a quality that Butler also embodies, in addition to his exceptional acting skills. Here’s what Barden had to say:

“Jared Leto was perfect for Paul Allen when we cast him, as he possessed the rare kind of attraction that the character required. However, if we were to revisit the role, I believe Butler could bring an equally compelling portrayal.

I find myself drawn to casting Austin in the role previously held by Jared, for he possesses such striking beauty – a quality that initially drew us to Jared as well. Make no mistake, both Jared and Austin are exceptional actors, with depth in their craft. However, it’s rare to encounter someone with the unique, captivating beauty that both these men embody.

What This Means For The New American Psycho Movie

Paul Allen Is Meant To Be Beautiful

Initially, the character of Patrick Bateman in the film “American Psycho” was offered to Leonardo DiCaprio, but Christian Bale eventually played the part. This change caused some controversy at the time, but since then, Bale’s performance has been widely recognized as one of his most significant roles. As a result, there is much speculation and anticipation about who will portray Patrick Bateman in future adaptations. The role could be a career-defining opportunity for whoever is cast, much like it was for Christian Bale.

Barden’s remarks provide insight into the casting process of the original “American Psycho” and present an intriguing prospect in contrast to the rumored participation of Butler for the upcoming film. However, given that Guadagnino plans to concentrate more on the source material rather than the 2000 film adaptation, he is expected to have unique ideas about the characters for his version. If Butler does secure the role of Patrick Bateman, it would be intriguing to speculate what a world would look like where he played Paul Allen instead.

Our Take On Austin Butler’s Potential American Psycho Casting

He Can Play Paul, But He’d Make A Better Bateman

From portraying Elvis Presley in a biopic about the King of Rock, to assuming the role of a villain in “Dune: Part II”, Butler demonstrates versatility in playing characters with a more sinister side, while also infusing each character with a genuine emotional depth. In “American Psycho”, he takes on the role of Bateman’s competitor, which bears striking resemblance to his part in Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” series. There, he stands as the adversary to Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides.

In the movie “American Psycho”, Paul, despite being a character, didn’t undergo significant character development, which might seem like an underutilization of Butler’s skills. However, he managed to make Patrick Bateman stand out uniquely. His distinct acting style from Bale makes him an excellent candidate for the lead role in the upcoming “American Psycho” remake.

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2025-04-29 03:18