Austin Butler to Star in Luca Guadagnino’s American Psycho Adaptation
Do you like Huey Lewis And The News? We hear Austin Butler’s just become a big fan. Having played the King of Rock’n’Roll in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis, the terrifying Feyd-Rautha Harkkonen in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two, and the heroic Major Gale ‘Buck’ Cleven in Steven Spielberg’s Masters Of The Air over the past couple of years, the in-demand actor is set to bring another larger than life character, Patrick Bateman, to our screens soon. Per Variety’s reporting, the Oscar nominee has landed the lead role in Luca Guadagnino’s American Psycho, a new adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’ classic novel.
Confirmation of Austin Butler as Patrick Bateman
In recent weeks, rumours had swirled that Aussie actor Jacob Elordi may be set to star in Guadagnino’s new interpretation of Ellis’ text, but now we have confirmation that Butler is the man with the unenviable task of following Christian Bale’s iconic performance in Mary Harron’s 2000 movie. On that, however, it’s important to note that Guadagnino’s movie is not expected to be a remake of that film by any stretch, but rather a reinterpretation of the book boasting a script from Contagion writer Scott Z. Burns. We would imagine it’s safe though at least to presume Butler’s Bateman will still be an investment banker with a serial killing side hustle — and, given Guadagnino’s involvement, we wouldn’t be surprised if the psychosexual themes of Ellis’ book are given greater prominence here than in Harron’s movie.
Guadagnino’s Shift in Movie Themes
When Empire caught up with Guadagnino ahead of the release of Queer last month, the Call Me By Your Name and Challengers auteur had expressed a wish to move away from his recent cycle of movies about desire with his future efforts. And between this, the recently wrapped Julia Roberts thriller After The Hunt, and that reported Sgt. Rock movie for DC, it certainly looks like Guadagnino — with a new muse in the form of Butler at his side — is ready to make good on that promise. But while we wait to hear more about this one, if you’ll excuse us, we have to return some videotapes…
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will Austin Butler’s portrayal of Patrick Bateman differ from Christian Bale’s in the 2000 movie?
A: While details are scarce, it’s expected that Butler’s take on the character will bring a fresh perspective to the role, considering Guadagnino’s unique vision for the adaptation.
Q: What are some key themes we can expect in Guadagnino’s American Psycho?
A: With Guadagnino’s inclination towards exploring psychosexual themes, it’s likely that these elements will be emphasized in the adaptation, setting it apart from previous interpretations.
Q: How does Austin Butler’s casting reflect Guadagnino’s evolving cinematic style?
A: Guadagnino’s collaboration with Butler signals a shift towards new storytelling avenues, moving away from his previous focus on desire-centric narratives to explore different genres and themes.
Credit: www.empireonline.com
