EXCLUSIVE: Even as he continues his festival craze with his adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ Queer, Luca Guadagnino is looking to set his sights on another high-profile adaptation. Sources tell Deadline that he is in final negotiations for a new interpretation of American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis for Lionsgate. Scott Z. Burns will write the adaptation. The Lionsgate film will be produced by Frenesy Films and executive produced by Sam Pressman, son of Edward R. Pressman, producer of the original 2002 film, through his company Pressman Film.
Ellis’s novel was a groundbreaking and controversial work when it was published in 1991, not only because of the famous Manhattan investment banker turned serial killer, but also for its astonishing attention to detail of the world she was entering, as well as the graphic violence that accompanied it. The main character was extradited, leading to it being censored in several countries.
While the first film starring Christian Bale and directed by Mary Harron has gained a following over the years, sources say that rather than a remake, Guadagnino’s film will be a new adaptation of Ellis’ novel. The property is something the studio has been trying to solve for some time, and after recent meetings with Guadagnino executives, felt it was the perfect choice to deliver a new experience.
“We are thrilled to add another elite filmmaker to our upcoming roster,” said Adam Fogelson, President, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. “Luca is a brilliant artist, with the perfect vision to create a completely new interpretation of this powerful and classic intellectual property.”
Guadagnino’s latest film, Challengers, starring Zendaya, opened at No. 1 at the box office and outperformed with strong returns and reviews. His latest film, Queer, starring Daniel Craig, will be released by A24 on November 27 and is on a festival roll that includes its London Film Festival premiere last week.
The director is currently working on After the Hunt, starring Julia Roberts. His previous credits include I Am Love, Suspiria, Bones and All, A Bigger Splash, and the Oscar-winning Call Me By Your Name. Guadagnino is repped by CAA, Range Media Partners, Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher.
Burns most recently created the Apple TV+ limited series Extrapolations. His feature film screenwriting credits include The Report, Side Effects, and The Bourne Ultimatum. It was also recently announced that he will be creating the series Thumblite for Netflix and Media Res, starring Rosamund Pike.
Burns is repped by UTA, Range Media Partners, Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner Auerbach Hynick Jaime LeVine Sample & Klein.