Christian Bale backs new American Psycho remake by Luca Guadagnino
Actor Christian Bale, who starred in the 2000 American Psycho film, expressed support for director Luca Guadagnino's upcoming remake of the classic thriller. Bale praised the filmmakers for their boldness while noting the project has faced casting challenges, with several high-profile actors reportedly declining the iconic Patrick Bateman role.
Christian Bale, who played Patrick Bateman in the 2000 American Psycho film directed by Mary Harron, recently commented on Luca Guadagnino's new American Psycho project. When asked about the remake at the premiere of his film The Bride in New York City, Bale expressed openness to the endeavor. "Whoever wants to give it a shot, give it a pop," Bale told The Hollywood Reporter. "I loved making it with Mary Harron so many years back. So many fantastic memories of it all. Bold choice of anyone to... I like brave people."
Casting the lead role has proven challenging for the production. Actor Austin Butler was initially announced for the part in 2024, but a 2025 report suggested The White Lotus star Patrick Schwarzenegger was being considered. According to novelist Bret Easton Ellis, who wrote the 1991 source material, multiple high-profile actors have declined the role. Ellis stated on his podcast, "I think maybe because they don't want to be in the shoes of Christian Bale." He added that Guadagnino's version will take a fundamentally different approach from Harron's film, sharing no resemblance to the original 2000 adaptation. Screenwriter Scott Z. Burns, known for The Bourne Ultimatum and Side Effects, is attached to write the screenplay for this reimagining of the darkly comedic thriller.