Austin Butler, the Oscar-nominated star of Elvis, is set to take on the iconic role of Patrick Bateman in director Luca Guadagnino’s reimagining of Bret Easton Ellis’s American Psycho. This new adaptation will mark a fresh take on the infamous story, distinct from Mary Harron’s acclaimed 2000 film starring Christian Bale.
According to Variety, Guadagnino’s version will feature a script by Scott Z. Burns, known for his work on Steven Soderbergh’s films such as Contagion and Side Effects. The film will not be a remake of Harron’s cult classic but a reinterpretation of Ellis’s controversial novel, which follows a narcissistic investment banker who moonlights as a brutal serial killer.
Previously, Christian Bale immortalised the role in the 2000 adaptation, while Matt Smith later portrayed Bateman in a stage musical. Butler’s casting comes after speculation that Euphoria’s Jacob Elordi was being considered for the part.
Guadagnino, celebrated for films like Call Me by Your Name and Challengers, is currently receiving critical acclaim for his adaptation of William S. Burroughs’s novella Queer, starring Daniel Craig. In 2025, audiences will see his college-set thriller After the Hunt with Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield. Guadagnino is also attached to an adaptation of Pier Vittorio Tondelli’s novel Separate Rooms, featuring Josh O’Connor and Léa Seydoux.
Butler, meanwhile, has been on a career high since his Oscar-nominated performance in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis. This year, he starred in Dune: Part Two and The Bikeriders. His upcoming projects include Ari Aster’s comedy western Eddington alongside Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone, as well as Darren Aronofsky’s 1990s-set crime thriller Caught Stealing with Zoë Kravitz. Butler has also been linked to Michael Mann’s potential Heat sequel.
Mixed Reactions to Casting
The announcement of Butler as Bateman has sparked debate on social media. On X (formerly Twitter), some fans expressed disappointment, with one user writing: “Actually devastated at Austin Butler being cast as Patrick Bateman.” Another added: “Such a miscast. A blonde could never pull it off.”
Others argued that Butler’s portrayal might lean too heavily on Christian Bale’s iconic performance. “Love Butler but he’s gonna do a (probably great) Christian Bale impression. If this has to be remade, going with an unknown & surrounding him with killers was the way to go,” one fan suggested.
However, Butler’s supporters believe he has the range to bring a fresh perspective to the complex character. With Guadagnino at the helm, the project promises to explore new dimensions of Ellis’s controversial and satirical tale.
