Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Oct 29: Director Luca Guadagnino has officially dismissed rumours suggesting that his upcoming reimagining of the Hollywood classic American Psycho would feature a female lead version of Patrick Bateman.
Speculation had been rife last week that Margot Robbie was in talks to play a gender-swapped Bateman in Guadagnino’s adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’ 1991 novel, but those claims have now been debunked. According to Female First UK, Guadagnino has yet to cast his lead, though Austin Butler and Jacob Elordi are reportedly being considered for the iconic role.
The original American Psycho, which hit theatres in 2000, starred Christian Bale as the charming yet deranged Manhattan investment banker Patrick Bateman, whose descent into psychopathic violence became a chilling critique of 1980s greed and consumerism.
Industry outlet Deadline was the first to clarify that Guadagnino’s adaptation will not feature a gender-swap, but will instead stay true to the essence of Ellis’ novel. The new version, written by Scott Z. Burns, promises a fresh and more sensual interpretation of the story. Guadagnino previously revealed that Burns’ script is “coming out very handsomely.”
Speaking during a CinemaCon video appearance, the Call Me By Your Name and Bones and All filmmaker expressed his admiration for Ellis’ work, saying:
“We are really working hard to bring to the screen a new adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’ American Psycho, a book that I deeply love and that has influenced me so much. Scott Z. Burns is doing an incredible job. The script is coming out very handsomely.”
While Guadagnino refrained from announcing any cast members, he confirmed he is in discussions with “very exciting performers” for the leading roles.
The new American Psycho will mark the second film adaptation of Ellis’ infamous novel, following the 2000 version directed by Mary Harron, which also featured Jared Leto, Willem Dafoe, Reese Witherspoon, Chloë Sevigny, and Matt Ross.
Unlike the original, Guadagnino’s adaptation won’t be a direct remake but a modern reinterpretation, delving deeper into the story’s erotic undertones while exploring the psychological duality of its protagonist.
Lionsgate’s film chief Adam Fogelson praised Guadagnino’s involvement, calling him “the perfect visionary” to reinvent the cult classic.
“We are thrilled to add another elite filmmaker to our slate. Luca is a brilliant artist, and the perfect visionary to create a whole new interpretation of this potent and classic IP,” Fogelson said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Matt Ross, who played Luis Carruthers in the original, said Guadagnino “has his work cut out” to live up to the high bar set by the 2000 film — a challenge the Italian auteur seems eager to meet.