Bret Easton Ellis Doubts Austin Butler’s Role in ‘American Psycho’ Remake: “Fake News” or Real Deal?
Last month, Variety reported that Austin Butler is set to star in Luca Guadagnino’s new adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’s ‘American Psycho’ for Lionsgate. Although there were rumors about Jacob Elordi being cast as Patrick Bateman, Butler was chosen instead. Both Butler and Elordi have portrayed different versions of Elvis in movies by Sofia Coppola and Baz Luhrmann.
The film will feature a script by Scott Z. Burns and is not a remake of the 2000 movie, but a fresh take on Ellis’ novel.
Things have gotten infinitely more complicated now since Easton Ellis himself is disputing these new rumors.
On The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, the author of ‘American Psycho’ said that Austin Butler hasn’t actually signed on to play Patrick Bateman in the new movie, calling the reports “fake news.” He explained, “I have a feeling it’s fake news… Austin Butler hasn’t signed anything to play Patrick Bateman. Luca doesn’t have a deal. Scott Burns… doesn’t have a deal either.”
Ellis added that the information might have been released to see how people would react. He also stated, “If it does exist, I am not involved… I have nothing to do with this. I might get some money if they do this, but I am not involved creatively on any level.”
This is strange considering that Variety is a highly reputable source. Bret Easton Ellis’ comments match what reporter and insider Jeff Sneider recently said. Sneider suggested that the announcement was “more about making Lionsgate look a little bit more attractive on paper as an acquisition target than it was about an actual movie that’s going to happen.”
In the original report, it was stated that Austin Butler’s casting as the serial killer isn’t official yet, sources said that an offer is coming soon.
Director Luca Guadagnino recently finished filming ‘After the Hunt’ with Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield. His previous films, ‘Queer’ and ‘Challengers,’ received Golden Globe nominations, with Daniel Craig nominated for best actor for ‘Queer,’ and Zendaya up for best actress in ‘Challengers.’
‘Challengers’ won a Golden Globe for Best Original Score in Motion Picture.
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