"I have to return some videotapes..."
We recently learned that acclaimed filmmaker Luca Guadagnino (Bones and All, Suspiria, Queer) is set to helm a new adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' controversial 1991 novel American Psycho for Lionsgate, and a hard-to-believe rumor that the project had found a very surprising lead did the rounds online this week.
Despite a trade report claiming that Austin Butler (Elvis, Dune: Part Two) had been cast as Patrick Bateman, a UK tabloid insisted that Margot Robbie (The Suicide Squad, Barbie) was actually in like to play a gender-swapped take on the yuppie serial killer. The source may be about as dubious as they come, but the report still gained a lot of traction, and Deadline has now weighed-in to clarify where things stand.
The trade has debunked the rumor that Robbie is in talks for the role of Bateman, adding that - as things currently stand - this new take on the material will not be gender-switched.
The script, which was penned by Scott Z. Burns (Extrapolations, The Bourne Ultimatum), is said to be a brand-new interpretation of the book and not a remake of the 2000 film starring Christian Bale.
The story focuses on “A wealthy New York City investment banking executive who hides his alternate psychopathic ego from his co-workers and friends as he delves deeper into his violent, hedonistic fantasies.”
The book was deemed so disturbing and graphic in its depictions of violence that it ended up being censored and even banned outright (temporarily) in multiple countries.
This new take is expected to "have a larger erotic emphasis than the original horror satire."
“We are thrilled to add another elite filmmaker to our upcoming slate,” said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson when the project was announced. “Luca is a brilliant artist, and the perfect visionary to create a whole new interpretation of this potent and classic IP.”
Guadagnino is coming off critical acclaim for Challengers and Queer, but his latest film, After The Hunt, was not a big hit with critics. The director was set to helm DC Studios‘ Sgt. Rock movie, with Daniel Craig reportedly in talks to star.
What do you make of this update? Did you think Robbie playing Bateman might have worked? Do you think we really need a new adaptation of American Psycho, even with so much talent involved? Let us know in the comments section down below.