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Luca Guadagnino’s eagerly anticipated remake of American Psycho has officially cast its leading man. The Oscar-nominated Austin Butler, known for his recent role in Elvis, will step into the role of Patrick Bateman, a character originally brought to life by Christian Bale in the 2000 adaptation, which has since achieved cult status. Butler’s portrayal is expected to reflect a more intense dive into the dark psyche of the infamous character.
As reported by Variety, Butler’s casting is particularly notable given the speculation around other potential actors for the role, with many fans suggesting Jacob Elordi, who portrayed Elvis in Priscilla, might take on the character. Despite these discussions, Butler will embody the complex figure of Patrick Bateman, marking a significant shift in his filmography toward a darker villainous archetype. His recent performance as the ruthless Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen in Dune: Part Two hinted at his capability to tackle intense characters, yet Bateman presents a unique challenge in the realm of psychological horror.
This new rendition of American Psycho is set to offer a more faithful adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’s original novel than Mary Harron’s 2000 film, which, while successful, featured a distinctive artistic lens. Guadagnino’s approach aims to resonate closely with the book’s themes and narrative intricacies. The original novel presents Patrick Bateman navigating the superficial glamour of 1980s Manhattan while concealing his violent tendencies, painting a chilling portrait of wealth and alienation.
The synopsis of the original American Psycho captures this dichotomy:
“Patrick Bateman moves among the young and trendy in 1980s Manhattan. Young, handsome, and well educated, Bateman earns his fortune on Wall Street by day while spending his nights in ways we cannot begin to fathom. Expressing his true self through torture and murder, Bateman prefigures an apocalyptic horror that no society could bear to confront.”
‘American Psycho’ Will Be Different This Time Around
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Release Date: April 14, 2000
Runtime: 101 minutes
Source
movieweb.com