UPDATE: 2025-07-06 16:43 EST BY SARAH MORAN
Our story originally stated Butler had already been cast, but no such casting has been finalized. We’ve updated the article to reflect this.
Austin Butler is being sought for the role of Patrick Bateman in theAmerican Psychoremake. Co-written and directed by Mary Harron, based on the 1991 novel by Bret Easton Ellis, the cult classic film from 2000 starsChristian Bale as Patrick Bateman, a Wall Street yuppie who leads a double life as a serial killer during the 1980s. In October 2024, it was announced that Luca Guadagnino would direct a new interpretation of the novelAmerican Psychowith Scott Z. Burns writing the script.
Now, a few months later, the new adaptation has found the actor they’d most like to see replace Christian Bale. According toVariety,Austin Butler is the top pick to star as Patrick Bateman in Luca Guadagnino’sAmerican Psycho. The potential casting is not yet official, but an offer is expected to be imminent. If Butler accepts, it’ll put an end to months of rumors and speculation regarding who would play the highly coveted role of Patrick Bateman after Christian Bale.
What Austin Butler Playing Patrick Bateman Would Mean For The American Psycho Remake
Luca Guadagnino Is Offering A Different Interpretation
Although there were rumors that Jacob Elordi was considered for the role of Patrick Bateman, the casting ultimately didn’t materialize. Interestingly, both Elordi and Austin Butler share a connection since they both portrayed distinct interpretations of Elvis Presley in film, the former in Sofia Coppola’sPriscillaand the latter in Baz Luhrmann’sElvis. WhilePriscillareceived positive reviews and made $33 million worldwide,Elvismade over $288 million at the box office and earned Butler an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
Ever since his Oscar nomination,Austin Butler has enjoyed a meteoric rise with rolesinDune: Part Two,The Bikeriders, andMasters of the Air.American Psychomay end up being another high profile project added to Butler’s growing list, which also includes Darren Aronofsky’sCaught Stealing, Ari Aster’sEddington, andAmerican Speedalongside Tom Holland. Under the direction of Guadagnino, renowned forCall Me By Your Name, his new interpretation ofAmerican Psychomay lean more heavily into erotic themes. The director has also explored the horror genre before with hisSuspiriaremake andBones and All, so the novel’s horror elements should remain.
American Psycho: 10 Differences Between The Book And The Movie
American Psycho is one of the most important horror films of the turn of the Millenium, but here are 10 weird differences between the book and movie.
If Butler does indeed star,Guadagnino’sAmerican Psychoshould offer a significantly different interpretation of Patrick Bateman. Also, with Guadagnino’s two recent films earning Golden Globe nominations for acting (Zendaya forChallengersand Daniel Craig forQueer), Butler would remain firmly in any awards season conversation for his portrayal of Patrick Bateman inAmerican Psycho.
Our Take On Austin Butler Potentially Playing Patrick Bateman In American Psycho
The Oscar-Nominated Actor Is An Inspired Choice
The Oscar-nominated actor is an inspired choice to play Patrick Bateman in Luca Guadagnino’sAmerican Psychoand to take up the mantle after Christian Bale. Butler has displayed his magnetic charm with roles likeElvis, but also his chilling menace asFeyd-Rautha Harkonnen inDune: Part Two. These are qualities that are both central to the character of Patrick Bateman, who operates at the intersection of surface-level charisma and deep psychopathy inAmerican Psycho.
American Psycho
Cast
Based on the book of the same name by Bret Easton Ellis, American Psycho follows Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale) an investment banker in New York in 1987 who leads a double life as a serial killer. As investigators circle Bateman after the disappearance of a colleague, he finds himself trapped in a spiral of murder and excess, unable to stop himself from giving in to his increasingly dark urges. Also stars Willem Dafoe, Jared Leto, Justin Theroux, and Reese Witherspoon.
