Bret Easton Ellis Shuts Down Talk Of Luca Guadagnino And Austin Butler’s American Psycho Reboot
Could Luca Guadagnino and Austin Butler team up for a reimagining of American Psycho? That rumour had the internet buzzing late last year. But now, the book’s author, Bret Easton Ellis, is stepping in to throw some cold water on the idea, calling it “fake news”.
Yes, we were all ready for a more homoerotic take on Patrick Bateman’s chaotic world, but Ellis says not so fast.
None of This Is Official
In a recent episode of The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, the author of the 1991 novel made it clear, “From various sources that I have, this is just fake news that was put out there to see how an audience is going to react.”
Ellis went on to say that, as far as he knows, there are no signed contracts, neither Austin Butler nor Guadagnino has formally committed to the project.
That’s a bit of a bombshell, considering how much excitement surrounded the announcement back in October 2024. Lionsgate seemingly confirmed the remake with a blood-splattered image of a script headed, “American Psycho Directed by Luca Guadagnino”. Fans went wild, imagining how Guadagnino, known for his ability to fuse sensuality and tension in films like Call Me by Your Name and Challengers, might update the satirical thriller for a new generation.
The casting of Austin Butler, coming off the high of his Golden Globe-winning performance in Elvis, felt like a perfect match for the role of Patrick Bateman, originally made iconic by Christian Bale in Mary Harron’s 2000 adaptation. But according to Ellis, it might all be smoke and mirrors.
What’s the Real Story?
Ellis claims no deals have been inked. Guadagnino, Butler, and screenwriter Scott Z Burns (Contagion, Side Effects) are reportedly unaffiliated with the project. And while it’s possible the movie is moving forward without Ellis’ direct involvement, he expressed doubt: “If it does exist, I have nothing to do with this. I might get some money if they do it, but I am not involved creatively on any level.”
Without official confirmation from the studio or the filmmakers, all we have is speculation. And Ellis’s comments do raise questions about whether this project is just another Hollywood rumour that won’t see the light of day.
The Guadagnino Factor
Here’s where things get interesting: Luca Guadagnino is notorious for juggling multiple projects, but not all of them make it to the finish line. Among his many announced works are a Lord Of The Flies adaptation, a biopic of Hollywood fixer Scotty Bowers, an historical film about Tennessee Williams and Frank Merlo, and even a Scarface remake. And yet, updates for these projects remain few and far between.
Is There Hope?
Even if Ellis is right and there’s no deal yet, that doesn’t mean the project is entirely off the table. Sometimes, movies take years to get off the ground or survive major shake-ups before they finally happen. For now, though, it’s clear we’ll need to wait for Lionsgate, or Guadagnino himself, to clear up the speculation.
Until then, we’ll just have to imagine what could have been. Because if there’s one thing American Psycho fans know, it’s how to obsess over every detail… just like Bateman would.
