Luca Guadagnino’s ‘American Psycho’ Remake Update Stuns CinemaCon

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The progress of the latest remake of Bret Easton Ellis’ novel “American Psycho” continues as planned, according to its director, who recently shared some intriguing news about the project. Although specifics are being kept confidential, the filmmaker behind movies like “Challengers” and “Queer” confirmed that he is actively working on the movie, and that the script is currently being developed. Regrettably, there was no information provided regarding the casting process, so fans will have to stay tuned for an official announcement of who will portray the new Patrick Bateman.

As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, the directors of critically acclaimed films such as “Suspiria” and “Call Me By Your Name”, were featured in a video played during Lionsgate’s CinemaCon presentation. Guadagnino hinted at the potential revival of the “American Psycho” adaptation, suggesting that it is still being considered for production.

I’m excited to share our dedicated efforts in creating an on-screen version of Bret Easton Ellis’ ‘American Psycho’, a novel that holds a special place in my heart and has significantly impacted me.

There was anticipation for news on casting decisions, but director Luca Guadagnino remained tight-lipped. He merely mentioned that the script is being penned by Scott Z. Burns, a screenwriter known for his work on several Steven Soderbergh films like “Contagion” and “Side Effects.” Guadagnino praised Burns in these words:

“He’s doing an incredible job. The script is coming out very handsomely.”

Casting Patrick Bateman Is Harder Than It Seems

The upcoming movie titled “American Psycho,” based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis, is set to reimagine the 2000 adaptation directed by Mary Harron and co-written by Guinevere Turner. This new version promises a fresh take on the extremely violent story that revolves around Patrick Bateman, a murderous investment banker. The original film was commercially successful and featured Christian Bale as Bateman alongside notable actors like Jared Leto, Chloë Sevigny, Justin Theroux, Willem Dafoe, Josh Lucas, Reese Witherspoon, and more. Following its release, it garnered a dedicated fanbase and is now recognized as a cornerstone in the genre.

At the recent gathering, Guadagnino didn’t respond directly to the question on everyone’s lips. However, he did mention that he’s engaged in intriguing discussions with potential stars for the leading roles. Clearly, the director is meticulously considering this crucial aspect of the film. After all, no one wants to botch a casting decision, but landing the role of Patrick Bateman? That’s a risk not every actor would be eager to take.

Initially, Christian Bale wasn’t as well-known as he is today, and the Academy Awards hadn’t yet recognized his talent. Taking on the role of a highly narcissistic, violent sociopath who reveled in brutal murders could have potentially harmed his career. The original “American Psycho” was exceptionally violent, earning it an NC-17 rating from the MPA (which was known as the MPAA back then). Some explicit scenes had to be removed to secure the more acceptable R rating.

Austin Butler, who earned a Best Actor nomination for his role in “Elvis,” has been linked to an upcoming project, but that casting choice was disputed by Bret Easton Ellis several months ago. It remains unclear if it’s Butler or Jacob Elordi (another rumor) who will be cast as Patrick Bateman; either way, choosing the right actor for this role is likely to be a tough decision.

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2025-04-02 13:02