What Christian Bale Really Thinks of Luca Guadagnino’s Bold American Psycho
Christian Bale finally weighs in on Luca Guadagnino’s bold new American Psycho. More than two decades after defining Patrick Bateman on screen, the Oscar winner reacts to the director’s reimagining of Bret Easton Ellis’s 1991 novel.
Christian Bale has finally weighed in on Luca Guadagnino taking a crack at American Psycho. Short version: he is not picking a successor for Patrick Bateman, and he sounds genuinely game for someone bold enough to try.
Bale weighs in (and keeps it classy)
The Oscar winner, who turned Patrick Bateman into a pop-culture boogeyman back in 2000, was asked who should play the new Bateman. He passed on naming names and basically opened the door to anyone brave enough to step in. He also tipped his hat to Guadagnino for choosing to revisit Bret Easton Ellis's controversial 1991 novel.
"Whoever wants to give it a shot, give it a pop," Bale said. "I loved making it with Mary Harron so many years back, fantastic memories of it all. Bold choice of anyone to try to do a — I don't know if they’re doing a remake or what, I don't know anything else about it. But all the best to 'em, I like brave people."
What this new version looks like (so far)
Guadagnino is directing a reimagining of American Psycho, with Scott Z. Burns (The Bourne Ultimatum) writing the screenplay. Casting remains unannounced at Lionsgate. Behind the scenes, the scuttlebutt is that the search for a new Bateman has been tricky, with multiple high-profile actors reportedly passing on the role. If true, that tracks: stepping into Bale's shoes as a narcissistic, status-obsessed killer is a headline-making decision, and not everyone wants that smoke.
A quick rewind to the 2000 film
Mary Harron directed and co-wrote the first adaptation, which helped cement Bale's career and gave us a black-comic snapshot of Wall Street vanity turning violent. The cast was loaded:
- Christian Bale
- Jared Leto
- Willem Dafoe
- Reese Witherspoon
- Justin Theroux
- Josh Lucas
- Chloe Sevigny
Story-wise, it follows a young, wealthy businessman who keeps a pristine exterior while spiraling into psychopathic violence, lashing out over petty slights and trivial imperfections. The mix of horror, satire, and immaculate skincare routines made it unforgettable.