American Psycho Remake: High-Profile Actors Have Passed on Patrick Bateman Role

Multiple high-profile actors appear to have passed on the opportunity to play Patrick Bateman in the American Psycho remake.

American Psycho is a novel written by Bret Easton Ellis that was published in 1991. The movie was turned into a 2000 movie directed by Mary Harron that starred Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman, while the supporting cast also includes Willem Dafoe, Jared Leto, Justin Theroux, Reese Witherspoon, and more. This was followed by a direct-to-video sequel that Harron and Bale did not return for; rather, that movie was directed by Morgan J. Freeman and stars Mila Kunis.

In 2024, it was reported that Luca Guadagnino would be directing a new interpretation of the American Psycho novel for Lionsgate. There hasn’t been a whole lot of substantial news that has come out about the project since then; however, there have been many rumors and fan castings regarding who could play Bateman in this version, with Austin Butler and Patrick Schwarzenegger being some of the more common names that have been thrown around.

What is the update on the American Psycho remake?

In a recent episode of The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, via World of Reel, the American Psycho actor said that multiple “high-profile actors” have turned down an offer to star in the new movie. Ellis didn’t mention any specific names, though he did hypothesize as to why they didn’t want to play the role.

“A couple of high-profile actors — whom I can’t name — have turned it down,” he said. “I think maybe because they don’t want to be in the shoes of Christian Bale.”

Bale almost wasn’t cast in American Psycho, as Lionsgate was more interested in letting Leonardo DiCaprio play the role instead. Harron pushed back against this idea, and she was eventually fired from the project after she made it clear she wouldn’t direct it without Bale. Oliver Stone was then hired to take over; however, the project fell apart in their hands, with DiCaprio ultimately leaving to make 2000’s The Beach. Lionsgate rehired Harron and, eventually, agreed to let Bale play the part.

American Psycho is currently streaming on Prime Video, The Criterion Channel, and Plex. The new remake does not yet have a release date.

Source: Comingsoon.net