"Fake news" or not, I hope that we see Austin Butler as Bateman, the casting did go viral for a reason after all. It’ll be interesting to see what comes of the American Psycho writer’s explanations and who may respond to the ruminations.

Reports published in late 2024 stated that Austin Butler could be in line to play the role of Patrick Bateman in Luca Guadagnino’s reboot of American Psycho. This caused a flurry of headlines as the role was once made famous by Christian Bale in the original film adaptation of American Psycho released in 2000.

It’s been reported that Luca Guadagnino is set to direct an American Psycho reboot starring Austin Butler as Patrick Bateman. But according to Bret Easton Ellis , the author of the novel on which the iconic 2000 film was based,

Bret Easton Ellis first had his 1991 novel adapted for film in 2000, directed by Mary Harron and starring Christian Bale as investment banker-turned-serial killer Patrick Bateman. Now, he's said rumblings of a new film from Guadagnino are "fake news" via his self-titled Bret Easton Ellis Podcast.

I have a feeling it’s fake news,” Ellis said while speaking on his podcast in late December. “I heard somewhere, from someone, that there are no contracts. Austin Butler hasn’t signed anything to play Patrick Bateman.

Bret Easton Ellis explained why the 'American Psycho' reboot, rumored to be led by Austin Butler and directed by Luca Guadagnino, might be 'fake news.'

"I heard somewhere, from someone, that there are no contracts," Bret Easton Ellis, author of the American Psycho novel, revealed.

It’s weird to get excited about something when you don’t love the thing it’s based on. I had that feeling with The Boys. I hated those comics. I know they have their fans, but if someone recommended them to me in college it was usually an indicator that the person had a s*** sense of humor and that women should cover their drinks around them at parties.