New American Psycho Movie Proves Hard to Cast

Christian Bale played Patrick Bateman in American Psycho in the year 2000, but the lead role of the re-imagining of the old horror film has proven hard to cast.

The new reworking of American Psycho from filmmaker Luca Guadagnino has seen some key actors pass on the leading role of Patrick Bateman. Some people may think it’s because it’s almost impossible to take over the original role that Christian Bale played so well, but it’s also probably because it’s a really creepy role, especially given today’s conservative political climate. In any event, Austin Butler and Jacob Elordi were just two of the names floating around as potential Batemans at one point. Now, the role is finding itself still wide open and not yet cast.

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When one examines the original movie further, it wasn’t exactly a huge success at the box-office or with audiences. American Psycho earned some critical raves for Bale’s work in the picture, but it also garnered a deadly “D” CinemaScore grade from opening night audiences with its ambiguous ending that challenged and divided the movie’s viewers. Movie-goers were left stunned at the prospect of a man like Bateman getting away with the grisly murders that the movie focused on throughout its running time. The low grade was a response to the frustrating nature of Bret Easton Ellis’s source material as well.

Furthermore, American Psycho only earned $15 million at the domestic box-office, opening on a crowded weekend back in the year 2000. Things could improve significantly for the new reboot which is being made possible by the studio, Lionsgate. Depending on the cast member who ultimately takes the provocative leading role, the new movie could make much more money in its opening weekend alone. If it’s an unknown actor who is given the part, things would, in juxtaposition, be iffy in regards to the movie’s overall financial prospects.

The original American Psycho could be deemed dated in some respects when considering today’s different corporate world, but Guadagnino’s reboot promises to be even more thought-provoking than the original in the director’s controversial hands. Mary Harron directed the original movie with style and precision, but people weren’t all “in” thanks to the over-the-top violence that the movie wore on its sleeve. Though it was once thought that a gender swap on the American Psycho lead character could be a possibility, the new film is said to be keeping him a man.

Any other news of stars who have turned down the role of Patrick Bateman has been kept strictly confidential, but stars are, indeed, passing on the role, according to Ellis. It could well be because of the great performance Bale gave in the original which would be hard for any actor to live up to. Don’t count out the possibility, though, that the role is simply a part that many popular actors may feel could help put a nail in the coffin of their careers if it is performed poorly. Taking on this violent role would be like walking on eggshells for almost any actor. Who will be up to the task of taking the bull by its horns and playing this part the way Ellis intended? Time will tell.

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