Christian Bale says he doesn’t “know anything” about Luca Guadagnino’s highly anticipated American Psycho remake — but he’s still cheering on everyone involved.
Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter on the red carpet at the New York premiere of his new film, The Bride, on Tuesday (March 3), Bale shared his thoughts on the project.
“Whoever wants to give it a shot, give it a pop!” he said. “I loved making it with [director] Mary Harron so many years back, fantastic memories of it all.”
He added: “Bold choice of anyone to try to do a, uh…. I don’t know if they’re trying to do a remake or what. I don’t know anything else about it, but all the best to them. I like brave people.”
Christian Bale landed his first major leading role in Mary Harron’s 2000 adaptation of American Psycho. Inspired by Bret Easton Ellis’ 1991 horror novel, the film examined themes of consumerism, conformity, and narcissism through the mysterious central character, Patrick Bateman (Bale).
While the movie initially received mixed reactions from critics, it later earned cult classic status and eventually spawned a sequel starring Mila Kunis.
In 2024, reports surfaced that Luca Guadagnino (Challengers, Call Me By Your Name) was in discussions to direct a new American Psycho for Lionsgate. Scott Z. Burns (The Bourne Ultimatum, Contagion) was also reportedly brought on to pen the screenplay, which is expected to present a fresh interpretation of the investment banker and serial killer, Patrick Bateman.
Neither Guadagnino nor the studio has confirmed any casting choices so far, but Bret Easton Ellis recently shared that several “high-profile” actors passed on the lead role.
“I think maybe because they don’t want to be in the shoes of Christian Bale,” the author said on his podcast. “From what I’m told, this movie is completely different from Mary Harron’s 2000 movie. It’s a completely different take, and going to bear no resemblance to that movie.”
Austin Butler and Jacob Elordi were reportedly among the actors being considered to play the new Bateman, though there have been no updates regarding their possible involvement.
