The visionary director Luca Guadagnino is plotting his own version of American Psycho, and he finally found his Patrick Bateman. After months of casting rumors, Austin Butler officially landed the role of the infamous serial killer in the adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’ novel of the same name.
Ellis’ satirical psychological horror novel centers on Patrick Bateman, a narcissistic investment banker who secretly lives a double life as a serial killer. It previously produced a successful 2000 adaptation directed by Mary Harron, starring Christian Bale in the lead role.
Over two decades later, American Psycho is getting a modern makeover, courtesy of the Oscar-nominated filmmaker Luca Guadagnino. This won’t be his first attempt at putting a twist on a cult classic – he previously directed a new adaptation of Dario Argento’s Italian film Suspiria. His American Psycho adaptation won’t be a remake, but a new take on Ellis’ novel, based on a script by Scott Z. Burns.
Austin Butler landed the role of Patrick Bateman after getting his big break as Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis. After receiving an Oscar nod for this role, he went on to star in films The Bikeriders and Dune: Part Two and the TV series Masters of the Air. He’ll next be seen in Darren Aronofsky’s crime thriller Caught Stealing and Ari Aster’s black comedy Eddington.
