It’s been 33 years since Patrick Bateman was introduced to the world in Bret Easton Ellis’ 1991 horror novel American Psycho. The increasingly psychotic rampage of the narcissistic investment banker turned serial killer shocked the literary world when the book first hit the shelves. The author’s satirisation of late-stage capitalism is a dark, twisted and depraved tale that almost didn’t get published—and was subsequently banned in numerous countries—due to the murderous, misogynistic and incredibly violent content.
So, naturally, Luca Guadagnino has selected the work as the subject of his next film. The Italian director’s body of work hasn’t strayed away from showcasing the obscure; an NSFW peach scene in Call Me By Your Name, love-sick cannibals in Bones And All and, most recently, a tennis ménage à trois in Challengers. The cult auteur’s filmography subverts these topics into slow burns filled with tension, longing and a saturated colour palette, making his adaption of the ultimate finance bro unlike anything we’ve seen on screen or stage.
Of course, this isn’t the first time that Hollywood has shown interest in Ellis’ tour-de-force. Bateman was first brought to life in 2000 by Christian Bale as the sarcastic slasher with a rigorous morning routine. (His penchant for depuffing with ice and a deep pore cleansing lotion are cardinal beauty rules we can get around, however.) As the story goes, Bale drew inspiration from an interview with Tom Cruise on Late Night with David Letterman and never broke character on set, meaning that whoever picks up the tailored mantle has blood-stained shoes to fill.
Thankfully for casting agents, a number of young Hollywood actors have already begun pitching themselves for the role.
As the news broke by Lionsgate, a photo of Guadagnino and Australian wunderkind, Jacob Elordi taking a lunch meeting during the 2024 Venice Film Festival began circulating. Guadagnino recently directed Elordi in Chanel’s new ‘See You At Five’ short film for their iconic N°5 fragrance, meaning that the pair have a working relationship.
Timothée Chalamet could easily lead the film, especially after showcasing his detached and merciless side as Paul Muad’Dib Atredis in the Dune sequel. Newcomer Cooper Koch, who most recently piqued netizen’s interest as Erik Menedez in Ryan Murphy’s new series of Monster, also told The Hollywood Reporter at the 2024 Academy Museum Gala that he’d be interested in playing the maniac.
Sadly, these fan casts didn’t come to pass. As revealed by Variety, Austin Butler has been offered the lead role.
Since his breakthrough role as Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 musical biopic—a role he still hasn’t quite shaken the accent from—Butler has perpetually dominated the box office with roles in 2023’s The Bikeriders and 2024’s Dune: Part Two. Of the latter, his performance as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen proved his capability to transform and showcase his darker side.
Come 2025, he’ll demonstrate his brooding abilities once again in a new crime thriller from Darren Aronofsky titled Caught Stealing. As you may recall, this isn’t the first time he’s played an American psycho, either. Butler portrayed Tex Watson, who was a central member of the Manson family, in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.
The original cast included Reese Witherspoon, Jared Leto, Willam Defoe and Chloë Sevigny in supporting roles, meaning that Guadagnio has a responsibility to the entire indie darling community to cast actors of similar magnitude and star power. Details around the plot or release date are also yet to be announced, but the film entertainment company has left cinephiles with this promising statement: “Luca is a brilliant artist, and the perfect visionary to create a whole new interpretation of this potent and classic IP.”
Now, to play some Phil Collins through our Harman Kardon Stereo music systems and dissect the qualities of a perfect business card till we know more.
This story first appeared on GRAZIA International.
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