Margot Robbie Isn’t Starring in American Psycho — Real Plans for the Reimagining Emerge
Forget the buzz: Margot Robbie is not attached to American Psycho. The weekend rumor has been debunked as the reimagining moves forward with new details.
Margot Robbie is not picking up the business cards. Over the weekend, one of those loud tabloid rumors started bouncing around that she was circling a gender-flipped American Psycho. Fun headline, but no. That idea has been shut down.
So, was Margot Robbie going to be Patrick Bateman?
The Sun floated that Robbie was in advanced talks to lead a new American Psycho from director Luca Guadagnino, with a spin where Patrick Bateman would be reimagined as a woman. Deadline followed up and knocked that down: this new take will keep Bateman male, and Robbie is not playing the part.
Where the new American Psycho actually stands
- Director: Luca Guadagnino boarded the project in October 2024.
- Writer: Scott Z. Burns (The Report) is scripting.
- Studio/Status: It is in development at Lionsgate.
- Approach: This is a fresh adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis's novel, not a remake of the 2000 film.
- Lead: Patrick Bateman will be played by a man, not gender-swapped.
- Producers: Frenesy Films is producing; Edward R. Pressman, who produced the original movie, is on board as executive producer.
About that casting carousel
Names have been flying around for Bateman. Austin Butler was previously attached, and Jacob Elordi and Patrick Schwarzenegger have each been whispered about. Then, in January 2025, Bret Easton Ellis himself threw cold water on the Butler talk with a two-word verdict:
"fake news"
Translation: believe the casting when it is official, not when it is trending.
A quick refresher on the 2000 film
The first American Psycho adaptation hit theaters in April 2000. Christian Bale played Bateman, a Wall Street investment banker by day and serial killer by night, under director Mary Harron. It sparked plenty of debate at the time and turned into a cult fixture, pulling in over $34 million worldwide on a $7 million budget.
So for now: no Robbie-as-Bateman twist, Guadagnino is steering a new adaptation, and Lionsgate is still putting the pieces together. Expect more noise, but watch for the actual confirmations.