It was recently reported that Drew Starkey will be taking on the role of Patrick Bateman in the director’s take on Bret Easton Ellis book American Psycho.
Drew Starkey has fuelled speculation he’s set to star in a remake of American Psycho.
The 32-year-old actor made headlines with his performance in Luca Guadagnino’s 2024 movie Queer, and it was recently reported that he’ll be taking on the role of Patrick Bateman in the director’s take on Bret Easton Ellis book American Psycho.
And during an interview with GQ magazine, Drew did little to dispel the rumours, as he told the outlet: “The script is amazing.”
He then appeared to realise he’d messed up by saying too much, adding: “F***! I’ve read the script, but Luca’s my friend. I think I’ve read all of his scripts.”
Deadline reported back in 2024 that Guadagnino would be helming the movie, teaming up with writer Scott Z. Burns on the adaptation, but author Ellis admitted they were struggling to find someone to take on the titular role – played by Christian Bale in the original 2000 adaptation of the book.
On his podcast, Ellis said: “A couple of high profile actors, whom I can’t name, have turned it down. I think maybe because they don’t want to be in the shoes of Christian Bale.”
While Bale himself admitted the person taking on the role of Bateman would be making a “bold choice”.
Asked if there were any young actors who he could see stepping into the lead role, Bale told The Hollywood Reporter: “Whoever wants to give it a shot, give it a pop. “I loved making it with [director] Mary Harron so many years back, fantastic memories of it all.
“Bold choice of anyone to try to do a — I don’t know if they’re doing a remake or what, I don’t know anything else about it. But all the best to ’em, I like brave people.”
Director Luca Guadagnino and writer Scott Z. Burns are working on the movie, while fans are still waiting on casting news for the new Bateman after Easton Ellis admitted several big name actors have turned down the role. He said on his podcast: “A couple of high profile actors, whom I can’t name, have turned it down. I think maybe because they don’t want to be in the shoes of Christian Bale.”
Ellis also said that the new film will “bear no resemblance” to the 2000 movie.
He added in his podcast: “From what I’m told, this movie is completely different from Mary Harron’s 2000 movie. It’s a completely different take, and going to bear no resemblance to that movie.”
American Psycho follows Patrick Bateman, a wealthy Manhattan investment banker who hides his psychopathic violence and murderous impulses behind a facade of charm and material success.
As his obsession with status and control deepens, his grip on reality unravels, exposing the emptiness and brutality of 1980s consumer culture.
Drew Starkey fuels American Psycho speculation with interview slip-up
