The actor will change Harkonnen’s armor for a Patrick Bateman business suit.
Austin Butler, who played the antagonist Feyd-Rauta Harkonnen in the blockbuster «Dune 2», will lead the cast a new interpretation of Bret Easton Ellis’ novel «American Psycho». The film will be directed by Italian director Luca Guadagnino for Lionsgate.
Earlier, Jacob Elordi was considered for the lead role. Interestingly, both actors have already embodied the image of Elvis Presley: Elordi in Sofia Coppola’s film «Priscilla», and Butler — in Baz Luhrmann’s biographical drama «Elvis».
Scott Burns has created a new screenplay that will not be a remake of the 2000 film, but will present a fresh vision of the original novel.
In the first film adaptation in 2000, Patrick Bateman was played by Christian Bale. The movie is set in Manhattan in the 1980s. His character is a successful Wall Street investment banker who leads a luxurious life of a businessman obsessed with brands and social status by day, and transforms into a brutal serial killer by night. Mary Herron’s film has become a cult satire on the consumerism and narcissism of American society in the 80s. The film gained cult status due to Bale’s charismatic performance and sharp social criticism.
The director Luca Guadagnino, known for «Call Me by Your Name», «Challengers» and «Queer», can give the new version a more erotic touch. He recently completed filming «After the Hunt» with Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield. His most recent works «Queer» and «Rivals» received nominations for «Golden Globe».