Luca Guadagnino’s ‘American Psycho’ Casts Austin Butler as Patrick Bateman, Amplifying Interest in the Project

Mary Harron’s film “American Psycho” from 2000 has gradually transformed into a modern classic over time, despite its lukewarm reception upon release. The film’s success owes much to Christian Bale’s unforgettable performance. Now, Luca Guadagnino is stepping up with a fresh take on Bret Easton Ellis’ novel, and there’s exciting news: Austin Butler is slated to take on a pivotal role, possibly matching or even surpassing Bale’s iconic portrayal.

It’s been less than two months since Lionsgate announced their plans to create a new adaptation of the novel, not to be confused with a remake of the original movie. Kicking things off, they secured Luca Guadagnino as director, a promising move, especially with the talent of writer Scott Z. Burns on board. However, the real determining factor for this film’s success will undoubtedly be the lead actor. Fortunately, Lionsgate and Guadagnino have landed one of Hollywood’s most promising young talents.

Variety, keeping a watchful eye on this project, broke the casting news. Rumors swirled around Jacob Elordi possibly being considered for the role, although there’s no confirmation if he officially tested for it. Interestingly, both Elordi and Butler share the unique experience of having played Elvis recently, for directors Baz Luhrmann and Sofia Coppola, respectively.

Butler has rapidly ascended to become one of the most sought-after names in Hollywood, impressively working with industry heavyweights like Baz Luhrmann, Jeff Nichols, Denis Villeneuve, and Cary Joji Fukunaga across both film and television. His upcoming projects are equally exciting, with roles in Ari Aster’s “Eddington” and potentially in Michael Mann’s “Heat 2,” among many others. At 33, he’s built quite the impressive résumé. Anyone who caught “Dune: Part Two” earlier this year knows just how compelling his performance as Feyd-Rautha was, so taking on the role of Patrick Bateman seems like a natural next step.

On the other hand, Guadagnino continues to cement his reputation as a prolific and successful filmmaker. This year alone, he’s released “Challengers” and “Queer,” completed shooting “After the Hunt,” and is already eyeing several projects, including “Sgt. Rock” for DC Studios. This endeavor might even reunite him with Daniel Craig following their collaboration on “Queer.” While we’re eagerly awaiting more updates on that, there’s plenty to look forward to with Guadagnino’s latest works.