Austin Butler, the 33-year-old star of Dune: Part Two, is set to take on a role previously made famous by Christian Bale: the character of Patrick Bateman in American Psycho.
The new film, directed by Luca Guadagnino, is not a remake of the violent 2000 movie starring Bale, but a fresh adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’ controversial 1991 novel.
Slated to be released through Lionsgate, Butler’s portrayal of the Wall Street professional turned serial killer will undoubtedly be a role to watch.
The upcoming portrayal of Patrick Bateman by Austin Butler takes us back to New York City in 1987.
Bateman, a Wall Street professional by day, morphs into a raging serial killer when the sun goes down.
This chilling character was first brought to life by Christian Bale in the 2000 adaptation of American Psycho.
Bale’s performance sparked mixed reactions, with some of his co-stars initially thinking his acting was ‘terrible’.
However, it later became an iconic role that left a mark on pop culture.
Speaking to PEOPLE in 2019, Bale recalled how his role in the dark, comedic horror left his wife’s grandmother confused.
“When I first got married [to wife Sibi Bale], her grandma said, ‘So he’s an actor?’ ‘Yeah,’ she says.
‘Has he done anything? ‘Yeah, he did a film, it’s called American Psycho,’” Bale recalled.
The family ended up fast-forwarding through most of the film due to its inappropriate scenes.
For the 20th anniversary of American Psycho in 2020, director Mary Harron revealed during an oral history published by MovieMaker that Christian Bale’s role almost went to another big name – Leonardo DiCaprio.
However, she thought that DiCaprio was wrong for the role and carried “enormous baggage” after Titanic.
The new adaptation of American Psycho is likely to draw comparisons with the original film.
However, with Guadagnino at the helm and Butler stepping into Bale’s shoes, it promises to offer a fresh take on this controversial narrative.
The casting of Austin Butler in the new adaptation of American Psycho indicates a trend in Hollywood of revisiting and reinterpreting iconic roles.
@metroentertainment Austin Butler is set to lead the upcoming American Psycho movie! Austin is confirmed to play Patrick Bateman in Luca Guadagnino’s remake. What do we think of this casting? 📱Follow us more updates #austinbutler #americanpsychomovie #lucaguadagnino #patrickbateman #horrortok #movies #films #filmtok #fyp #foryoupagе ♬ Suspense, horror, piano and music box – takaya
It’s a daring move, given the enduring impact of Bale’s performance and the controversy surrounding the original novel.
However, it also represents an opportunity for Butler, Guadagnino, and Lionsgate to present a fresh perspective on this well-known narrative.
The choice to cast Butler is especially interesting considering that Christian Bale’s performance was initially met with criticism from his co-stars.
It’s a clear reminder of how subjective and mutable perceptions of performances can be, especially when dealing with complex characters like Patrick Bateman.
Moreover, the revelation that Leonardo DiCaprio was almost cast as Bateman in the original film is a fascinating glimpse into the casting process and the considerations that directors take into account.
The global fame DiCaprio had garnered from Titanic was seen as baggage that could potentially interfere with his portrayal of Bateman.
This demonstrates the complex interplay between an actor’s public image and their on-screen roles.
The upcoming American Psycho film will not only provide an intriguing reinterpretation of a controversial story, but it will also contribute to ongoing conversations about violence in media, the nature of acting, and the delicate art of remaking classic films.
Only time will tell if Butler’s portrayal of Bateman will be met with the same mix of shock and fascination as Bale’s performance once did.
The daring decision to revisit American Psycho through a new lens is a testament to the enduring relevance and fascination of Bret Easton Ellis’ controversial narrative.
With Austin Butler stepping into the role of Patrick Bateman, a fresh interpretation of this iconic character is set to captivate a new generation of viewers.
As this project moves forward, it will undoubtedly spark conversation about the enduring power of characters, the reinterpretation of controversial narratives, and the influence of an actor’s public image on their on-screen roles.
The upcoming adaptation serves as a reminder that in Hollywood, no story is ever truly finished – there’s always room for reinvention and reinterpretation.
As with any remake or adaptation, it will be interesting to see how audiences react.
Will they embrace the new portrayal, or will they cling to the original?
Whatever the response, one thing is clear: American Psycho continues to hold an unyielding grip on popular culture.
It’s up to Butler and Guadagnino now to redefine what that means for a new generation.
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