Austin Butler Will Star In The New ‘American Psycho’ Movie — And Fans Are Deeply Divided

The “Elvis” actor will play banker-turned-serial killer Patrick Bateman in Luca Guadagnino’s fresh adaptation of “American Psycho.”

Two years after nabbing a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Elvis Presley in “Elvis,” Austin Butler is about to take on yet another iconic role.

Butler has signed on to star in Luca Guadagnino’s forthcoming film adaptation of “American Psycho,” Variety reported Wednesday. The film is based on Bret Easton Ellis’ 1991 novel and follows Patrick Bateman, an investment banker who is leading a double life as a serial killer in 1980s New York.

Bateman was, of course, memorably portrayed by Christian Bale in the 2000 film version of “American Psycho,” directed by Mary Harron. Just how different Guadagnino’s version will be from the original movie remains to be seen, but Variety and other outlets were quick to emphasize that the new film is not intended as a remake.

On social media, responses to Butler’s casting were mixed. Some expressed surprise that Jacob Elordi, long rumored to be a contender for the role, had been passed over in the end. (Interestingly, Elordi won acclaim for portraying a different version of Elvis when he appeared as the rock music legend in Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla,” based on the life of Presley’s ex-wife, Priscilla Presley.)

“jacob elordi was the better elvis when he played him in priscilla without even trying and now austin is playing in american psycho instead of jacob elordi which was what the public wanted…,” one person wrote on X, formerly Twitter.