EXCLUSIVE: We’re told by sources close to the project that Luca Guadagnino‘s American Psycho reinterpretation won’t be gender-swapped.
Over the weekend, a report emerged out of the UK tabloids that the lead role of Patrick Bateman — played by Christian Bale in the original film — would be gender-swapped, with Margot Robbie in the frame for that role. Cue minor online frenzy. We’re told that that’s a non-starter, however.
Interest has been high in Guadagnino and Lionsgate’s reimagining ever since we revealed the package a year ago. Speculation has been rife over who will be cast in the film. Austin Butler and Jacob Elordi have both been rumored online in that time, but nothing has been set so far and casting discussions continue.
Chloë Sevigny revealed over the summer that she pitched Guadagnino to reprise her role as Jean but added that the suggestion didn’t gain much traction with the filmmaker.
The Mary Harron-helmed 2000 adaptation starred Bale as Bateman, Sevigny as Jean, and also included Reese Witherspoon, Justin Theroux, Jared Leto, Willem Dafoe, Josh Lucas, Bill Sage, Samantha Mathis and Matt Ross.
Scott Z. Burns is adaptating Bret Easton Ellis’ classic novel. Lionsgate is the studio for producer Frenesy Films. Sam Pressman, son of Edward R. Pressman, producer of the original movie, is exec producer through his company Pressman Film.
The novel by Ellis was a groundbreaking and controversial work when it was published in 1991. The graphic violence of its Manhattan investment banker-turned-serial killer led to it being censored in several countries.
In the story, “A wealthy New York City investment banking executive, Patrick Bateman, hides his alternate psychopathic ego from his co-workers and friends as he delves deeper into his violent, hedonistic fantasies.”