Lionsgate is in final negotiations with Challengers director Luca Guadagnino to make a remake of American Psycho – the classic story featuring Patrick Bateman, a Wall Street investment banker by day and serial killer by night.
In the official release, Lionsgate claims that the new film will not be a remake of the 2000 film starring Christian Bale. Rather, it is intended to be a “new adaptation” of the 1991 novel by Bret Easton Ellis. Scott Z. Burns, best known for writing the screenplay for The Bourne Ultimatum, will write the new film.
“We are thrilled to add another elite filmmaker to our upcoming roster,” Adam Fogelson, president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said in the release. “Luca is a brilliant artist, with the perfect vision to create a completely new interpretation of this powerful and classic intellectual property.”
There are several differences between the film American Psycho and the book, including the total number of murders, the sheer level of violence, and the reasons behind Bateman’s actions. The original book came out in the early 1990s, and was also an examination of yuppie culture in the 1980s.
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But while it won’t be a remake of Bale’s film, Guadagnino’s American Psycho will nonetheless draw comparisons to the fan favorite. In a list of Peele’s 10 best films published in 2013, we said: “As with the novel, the film was somewhat divisive among critics when it was first released. Some decried its graphic violence and sexual content, while others appreciated its sly sense of violence.” The film has maintained its humor and unusual main character ever since, thanks in large part to Bale’s stellar performance.
Lionsgate’s new American Psycho film will be produced by Frenesy Films and produced by Sam Pressman. It’s still early days yet, so stay tuned for casting information and a potential release window. In the meantime, check out the rest of the best movies of 2024.
Kat Bailey is IGN’s news director and co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Do you have any advice? Send her a direct message at @the_katbot.
