- Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name, Challengers) is closing in on the top job for Lionsgate’s new American Psycho adaptation.
- This latest “interpretation” — not remake — has been written by Scott Z. Burns (The Bourne Ultimatum, Contagion, The Report).
- The original American Psycho (2000) starring Christian Bale was directed by Mary Harron, the latter of whom penned the screenplay alongside co-writer Guinevere Turner.
By now, you may have heard the news that Call Me By Your Name and Challengers director, Luca Guadagnino, is in final negotiations to helm another American Psycho adaptation; this one produced by Sam Pressman, son of original film producer Edward R. Pressman, through Pressman Film.
“We are thrilled to add another elite filmmaker to our upcoming slate,” said Adam Fogelson, Chairman of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.
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“Luca is a brilliant artist, and the perfect visionary to create a whole new interpretation of this potent and classic IP.”
There are, of course, plenty of questions surrounding who will take on the iconic mantle of Patrick Bateman, which has been immortalised within pop culture by a precise performance from Christian Bale. But the more pertinent question is: do we actually need a modern retelling?
Arguments can be made that the underlying thesis behind Mary Herron’s original 2000 adaptation and, by extension, the Bret Easton Ellis novel has been overridden by bro-dom and alpha/sigma male culture a la Fight Club. And that perhaps a second run at it could make the message less open to interpretation.
This, however, does not guarantee it’ll be a better film. Or even anything close to on par with the first, which should ultimately be the goal. Though we can seek solace in the fact that Luca Guadagnino is probably the most qualified auteur for the job.
RELATED: Patrick Bateman Actually Wore A Seiko (Not Rolex) In ‘American Psycho’
Between his forays into the horror genre with a well-received Suspiria remake (in 2018) and the cannibalistic Bones & All; along with his simmering examination of obsession and vanity with the much-talked-about Challengers, the prospect is certainly intriguing (if nothing else).
Bonus points for having collaborated with an alleged Bateman-esque figure in the form of disgraced one-time A-lister Armie Hammer.
We’ll keep you updated about the new American Psycho movie here as details emerge. Fingers crossed that it shapes up to be a fresh take on a classic — and not whatever the hell we got with that disastrous straight-to-video sequel starring Mila Kunis.
