‘American Psycho’ Author Bret Easton Ellis Says ‘High Profile Actors’ Have Turned Down Patrick Bateman Role: ‘They Don’t Want To Be in the Shoes of Christian Bale’

“American Psycho” is one of the most iconic titles to have come out in the year 2000 — which might be why several actors have been hesitant to step into the role of the homicidal banker Patrick Bateman.

via: Deadline

After Deadline exclusively announced director Luca Guadagnino and writer Scott Z. Burns‘ adaptation of the 1991 novel by Bret Easton Ellis back in 2024, the author recently shared an update on the casting process for the upcoming feature.

“A couple of high profile actors, whom I can’t name, have turned it down,” said Ellis on his podcast. “I think maybe because they don’t want to be in the shoes of Christian Bale.”

Ellis noted that Scott Z. Burns has since completed new draft of the script after several actors passed on the previous version.

“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,” he added.

The Lionsgate film will be produced by Frenesy Films, and executive produced by Sam Pressman, the son of Edward R. Pressman, producer of 2002 original movie, through his company Pressman Film.