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Major Stars Reject Patrick Bateman Role in New American Psycho Film

Bret Easton Ellis has revealed that multiple high-profile actors have turned down the role of Patrick Bateman in Luca Guadagnino's upcoming "American Psycho" adaptation. The author suggests actors are hesitant to follow Christian Bale's iconic 2000 performance. Ellis confirms the new film will be a completely different take from the original movie, bearing no resemblance to Mary Harron's version. The project is moving forward with a revised script and is being produced by Lionsgate and the son of the original film's producer.

Key Points: Stars Turn Down Patrick Bateman in New American Psycho

  • High-profile actors rejecting role
  • Fear of Christian Bale comparison
  • Script revised after rejections
  • New film a completely different take
  • Lionsgate producing with original producer's son
2 min read

"Major stars have turned it down": American Psycho author reveals casting update of Patrick Bateman role

Author Bret Easton Ellis reveals high-profile actors have refused the role, fearing comparison to Christian Bale's iconic performance.

"A couple of high-profile actors, whom I can't name, have turned it down. I think maybe because they don't want to be in the shoes of Christian Bale. - Bret Easton Ellis"

Washington DC, February 21

Christian Bale's performance in American Psycho is one of the hard acts to follow for the stars, as many have refused the same role in Luca Guadagnino's upcoming directorial American Psycho, reported Deadline.

After Deadline exclusively announced director Luca Guadagnino and writer Scott Z. Burns' adaptation of the 1991 novel by Bret Easton Ellis back in 2024, the author recently shared an update on the casting process for the upcoming feature.

"A couple of high-profile actors, whom I can't name, have turned it down. I think maybe because they don't want to be in the shoes of Christian Bale," Ellis said on a podcast as quoted by Deadline.

Ellis noted that Scott Z. Burns has since completed a new draft of the script after several actors passed on the previous version.

"From what I'm told, this movie is completely different from Mary Harron's 2000 movie. It's a completely different take, and going to bear no resemblance to that movie," he added as quoted by Deadline.

The Lionsgate film will be produced by Frenesy Films, and executive produced by Sam Pressman, the son of Edward R. Pressman, producer of the 2002 original movie, through his company Pressman Film.

In 2000's American Psycho, Bale starred as homicidal investment banker Patrick Bateman, the literary character that Ellis created as a satirical take on masculinity. The Harron-helmed adaptation also starred Justin Theroux, Josh Lucas, Chloë Sevigny, Reese Witherspoon, Jared Leto, Willem Dafoe and more.

With American Psycho in the works, Ellis' 2023 novel 'The Shards' is getting the Ryan Murphy treatment with an FX series starring Kaia Gerber also in development.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
If it's a completely different take, then why are they even calling it a remake? Just make a new film with a new title. Hollywood's obsession with rebooting classics is getting tired. 🥱
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Priya S
Honestly, I'm curious. If it's a fresh script and a different vision, maybe it could work? Luca Guadagnino is a brilliant director. But the pressure will be immense. Hope they find someone brave enough!
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Vikram M
This is the problem with legendary roles. Look at our own Bollywood - who can ever replace Amitabh Bachchan's Vijay in Deewar or Shah Rukh's Raj/Rahul? Some shoes are just too big to fill. Respect to the actors who said no.
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Rohit P
Maybe they should look at a relatively unknown actor? Someone without the baggage of past comparisons. A fresh face could make the role their own. Just a thought!
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Michael C
I have to respectfully disagree with the need for this project. The original film is a perfect satire of its time. A "completely different" remake feels unnecessary. The resources could go to original stories.

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