Who Should Play Patrick Bateman in the New ‘American Psycho’ From Luca Guadagnino?

As a devoted follower of the enchanting world of cinema and a connoisseur of dark humor, I find myself captivated by the prospect of revisiting the chilling tale of Patrick Bateman in the upcoming adaptation of “American Psycho”. Each potential candidate vying for the coveted role brings something unique to the table, and it’s fascinating to contemplate the nuances each might bring to the character.


Did you know he’s utterly insane?

Christian Bale’s portrayal of Wall Street yuppie and serial killer Patrick Bateman in “American Psycho” (2000) catapulted him to an even higher level of fame. Prior to this, he had given notable performances in films such as “Empire of the Sun,” “Newsies,” and “Little Women.” However, his role in Mary Harron’s horror satire demonstrated his versatility and solidified him as a multifaceted creative talent.

For more than two decades now, Bateman continues to be significant in popular culture, with his widely mimicked “sigma face” and countless internet memes, along with his memorable catchphrases such as “I need to return some video tapes.

Currently, director Luca Guadagnino, known for his work on “Challengers,” is preparing to bring a fresh take on the novel penned by Bret Easton Ellis. The film, produced by Lionsgate, will see a script from Scott Z. Burns, who was responsible for “The Laundromat.

In a different rendition of events, Patrick might project an image of being open-minded and progressive, yet hidden conversations expose his prejudiced views towards races, women, and sexual minorities, labeling him as racist, misogynist, and homophobic. Although Patrick’s wealth and white skin during the 1980s granted him immunity from legal repercussions for a series of murders in the original story, director Guadagnino can modernize the character by adopting a unique perspective in the upcoming “American Psycho” adaptation. Since Lionsgate has confirmed that this new version won’t be a remake of the Bale-led film, but rather an interpretation of the book itself, there is ample opportunity to reimagine the narrative and its characters.

Below, the user EbMaster has compiled a selection of performers who excel at tasks such as comparing business cards, performing an immense number of sit-ups, and joyfully handling a chainsaw.

Matt Donnelly contributed to this list.

    Jacob Elordi

    Who Should Play Patrick Bateman in the New ‘American Psycho’ From Luca Guadagnino?

    Prior to working on a Guadagnino project, Elordi has only collaborated with him through a Chanel No. 5 ad campaign alongside his “Wuthering Heights” co-star Margot Robbie. This collaboration could potentially pave the way for his role in the director’s upcoming major production. Elordi’s character Nate Jacobs from “Euphoria” may appear charismatic on the surface, but he harbors a sinister side, exhibiting sociopathic traits such as physical abuse, manipulation, violence, and transphobia. Given his successful portrayal of a privileged character in “Saltburn,” it seems fitting that Elordi could excel in the role of a psychopath, similar to that seen in “American Psycho.

    Charles Melton

    Who Should Play Patrick Bateman in the New ‘American Psycho’ From Luca Guadagnino?

    As a proud alumnus of the “Riverdale” acting school, I was captivated by Melton’s remarkable debut last year in Todd Haynes’ “May December,” where he shared the screen with Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore. Though he garnered a Golden Globe nomination for his portrayal of an emotionally challenged husband to a teacher who manipulated him in his youth, it’s now high time for Melton to tackle a mature role. The actor has predominantly delved into the drama genre, but his recent stint with slapstick comedy in Mel Brooks’ 2023 series “History of the World, Part II” demonstrates his versatility, which may prove valuable in recreating Bateman’s unconventional morning rituals.

    Aubrey Plaza

    Who Should Play Patrick Bateman in the New ‘American Psycho’ From Luca Guadagnino?

    It’s only fitting that the queen of darkness in Hollywood would make an appearance on this list. Imagine the excitement of witnessing Aubrey Plaza bring her signature comedic intensity to the role of Patrick Bateman, the status-conscious yuppie serial killer. A more intriguing prospect might be casting Plaza in Bateman’s suit and loafers, without a complete “Ghostbusters”-style gender reboot. One of the reasons Aubrey Plaza is so captivating is her fearless commitment to risky art, as demonstrated in this Indie Spirit Awards sketch where she and a group of renowned indie film stars sacrifice a member of the “Stranger Things” cast. Sometimes less is more; just give her the chainsaw. —Matt Donnelly

    Dev Patel

    Who Should Play Patrick Bateman in the New ‘American Psycho’ From Luca Guadagnino?

    Although Patel has a diverse collection of roles in films, he hasn’t yet portrayed a genuine villain (ignoring the 2010 live-action “The Last Airbender”). His sincere demeanor and expressive eyes make it hard for viewers to wish ill on him, making his casting as a renowned sociopath intriguing. Having already shown his willingness to get physical for his directorial debut “Monkey Man,” a few axe-wielding scenes shouldn’t intimidate him.

    Finn Wittrock

    Who Should Play Patrick Bateman in the New ‘American Psycho’ From Luca Guadagnino?

    Has Wittrock’s portrayal as a terrifying clown been so unexpected that his transformation into a ruthless Wall Street yuppie seems unremarkable? Despite earning Emmy nominations for “American Horror Story: Freak Show” and “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story,” the actor remains underappreciated outside of Ryan Murphy’s creative realm. Given his talent for portraying affluent, handsome characters with a hidden sinister nature, Patrick Bateman is perfectly within his range of roles.

    Will Poulter

    Who Should Play Patrick Bateman in the New ‘American Psycho’ From Luca Guadagnino?

    As a film aficionado, I find Will Poulter to be the type of actor you’d feel comfortable having guard your drink at a bar. This versatility makes him an intriguing choice for a character like Bateman. He recently brought the golden-haired Adam Warlock to life in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” yet he possesses the ability to convincingly portray a complete jerk, as demonstrated in films such as “Midsommar” and “Black Mirror: Bandersnatch.” Although he hasn’t collaborated with Guadagnino on a project, we saw them together at a screening of “Queer” the day before it was announced that Guadagnino would direct “American Psycho,” fueling speculation about their potential collaboration.

    Margaret Qualley

    Who Should Play Patrick Bateman in the New ‘American Psycho’ From Luca Guadagnino?

    Imagining if Patrick Bateman were a modern, dynamic woman, I can’t help but envision Emily Qualley meticulously removing an herbal mint face mask in front of the mirror, her sharp gaze locking with the camera, reflecting her relentless pursuit of perfection.

    Drew Starkey

    Who Should Play Patrick Bateman in the New ‘American Psycho’ From Luca Guadagnino?

    Starkey made a name for himself in the teen series “Outer Banks,” yet anticipation builds for his significant leap forward when “Queer” premieres in cinemas this November, where he shares screen time with Daniel Craig. Starkey expressed confidence in working with director Guadagnino, stating to EbMaster, “I trusted Luca very quickly.” Given Guadagnino’s history of recurring collaborations with actors, it appears probable that Starkey could be under consideration for the Bateman role. In an interview with Interview Magazine in June, Starkey admitted he was reading “American Psycho,” commenting, “It’s fantastic. It’s quite violent, but it’s brilliant.” Could this hint at something we didn’t know?

    Manny Jacinto

    Who Should Play Patrick Bateman in the New ‘American Psycho’ From Luca Guadagnino?

    Fans of ‘The Good Place’ have been aboard the Jacinto train for quite some time, but it appears the wider audience has recently joined after his impressive turn as the rogue Qimir in the ‘Star Wars’ series ‘The Acolyte.’ He’s got the comedic skills to handle the humorous aspects of social satire, yet he can convincingly play a ruthless executive in a boardroom. And let’s not forget, he wouldn’t be out of place wearing a transparent trench coat either.

    Harris Dickinson

    Who Should Play Patrick Bateman in the New ‘American Psycho’ From Luca Guadagnino?

    Moving from “Triangle of Sadness” to “The Iron Claw,” it’s clear Harris Dickinson has versatility. In his forthcoming film “Babygirl,” where he stars alongside Nicole Kidman, he further demonstrates his range as a commanding, alluring young professional. These qualities make him an intriguing choice for a fresh take on Bateman.

    Cooper Koch

    Who Should Play Patrick Bateman in the New ‘American Psycho’ From Luca Guadagnino?

    We know it’s a little on the nose to suggest that the actor playing convicted killer Erik Menendez in Ryan Murphy’s “Monsters” play Patrick Bateman, but it’s too delicious of an idea to pass up. Koch is no stranger to the horror genre, previously starring in “Swallowed” and “They/Them.” Koch has eagerly pitched himself for the “American Psycho” role, telling EbMaster‘s Marc Malkin on a recent red carpet, “I love Bret Easton Ellis. I did ‘Less Than Zero.’ I just read ‘The Shards,’ too. I feel like it would be pretty perfect.”

    Lucien Laviscount

    Who Should Play Patrick Bateman in the New ‘American Psycho’ From Luca Guadagnino?

    The resident charmer of the loved-and-hated “Emily in Paris,” Laviscount brings an alluring, earnest nature to his role as Alfie. He oozes charisma, which is likely why his name’s been floated as the next James Bond. But allow us to suggest that he plays against type: it’s hard to picture him as a killer. Isn’t that exactly why Bateman gets away with it?

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2024-10-24 01:48