Luca Guadagnino Eyeing Austin Butler for ‘American Psycho’ — Report

Austin Butler is looking to get a little crazy in Luca Guadagnino‘s “American Psycho” remake.

Butler, who has made his career working with auteurs such as Baz Luhrmann, Denis Villeneuve, Ari Aster, Darren Aronofsky, and Jeff Nichols, might have his Guadagnino debut with the upcoming feature. Variety reported that Butler is in talks to star as the iconic Patrick Bateman in Guadagnino’s reimagining of Bret Easton Ellis’ novel.

IndieWire has learned that there are no casting deals are in place, however.

The Lionsgate film was announced earlier this year, with Scott Z. Burns (“Extrapolations,” “The Bourne Ultimatum”) adapting the novel for the screen.

Christian Bale led the original 2000 film alongside Guadagnino’s frequent collaborator Chloë Sevigny; Mary Harron co-wrote and directed the classic feature. Guadagnino’s version will not be a remake of Harron’s but rather a new adaptation of Ellis’ book.

Butler has a busy slate, with upcoming features also including Ari Aster‘s “Eddington” and Darren Aronofsky’s “Caught Stealing,” which has already wrapped production. He is additionally rumored to be circling Michael Mann’s “Heat 2” with Adam Driver.

As for Guadagnino, who has taken over 2024 with “Challengers” and “Queer,” he is in talks to bring DC Studios‘ “Sgt. Rock” to the screen for a third collaboration with screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes. Guadagnino also wrapped Amazon MGM Studios’ “After the Hunt” with Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield, and will reunite with his “Challengers” actor Josh O’Connor (who also stars alongside “Queer” actor Daniel Craig in “Wake Up Dead Man”) for the “Separate Rooms” adaptation alongside Léa Seydoux.

Jacob Elordi was rumored to be leading “American Psycho” prior to fellow Elvis portrayer Butler being announced. Elordi has been a favorite of author Ellis’ ever since his “Oh, Canada” casting. Ellis also has his semi-autobiographical “The Shards” HBO series in the works with Kristoffer Borgli directing; perhaps Elordi could have a role in that. Ellis will additionally make his long-awaited directorial debut with “Relapse” led by Joseph Quinn. The “Gladiator II” and “Fantastic Four” actor will star as a man who witnesses a brutal death during a drug party and is thrust into an unsteady existential crisis upon entering rehab. Ellis has penned four films prior to “Relapse,” including Paul Schrader’s “The Canyons” and Tim Hunter’s “Smiley Face Killers.”

Lionsgate did not respond to a request for comment.