Filmmaker Luca Guadagnino is known for his impressive filmography and consistent quality on the surface. However, Guadagnino is also known for making films of different genres and varying messages each film conveys.
After releasing both “Challengers” (2024) and “Queer” (2024) this year, Guadagnino’s next project is not one fans of his might expect. Guadagnino’s next film is a remake of Mary Harron’s classic “American Psycho” (2000), with his adaptation being more in line with Bret Easton Ellis’s novel of the same name.
“American Psycho” is nothing without its main character, Patrick Bateman. In Harron’s version, Bateman is portrayed by the amazing Christian Bale. The performance launched Bale’s career and is widely regarded by many as his best role. The notion of any other actor playing the character seems like a heresy in and of itself.
But, Guadagnino has an eye for seeking out the best possible actors to star in his films. Fans of the original “American Psycho” and Guadagnino fans will likely not be disappointed with whoever plays the next Patrick Bateman.
Although the official character’s casting has not been announced, there has been speculation that Jacob Elordi could play Bateman. Recently, Elordi deactivated his social media account after many believed him to play Bateman.
Elordi would play a stellar Patrick Bateman for a few reasons. For one, Bateman is 27 years old in the novel, and Elordi is conveniently also 27. Elordi also perfectly captures the balance of being a handsome investment banker while also being a narcissistic psychopath. His role as Nate Jacobs in HBO’s “Euphoria” complements this.
Elordi’s career as an actor is on the rise, and Guadagnino likes to cast actors and actresses in their 20s. Audiences saw this with Timothée Chalamet in “Call Me by Your Name” (2017) and Zendaya in “Challengers.”
Guadagnino might even bring Chalamet back for a third time to play Bateman. The character is unlike anything else he has ever done, and Chalamet has proven to audiences he is willing to be in films that push him as an actor.
Chalamet’s character in “Call Me by Your Name” is vastly different from his character in “Bones and All” (2022). There is reason to suggest Chalamet could play Bateman. It would be challenging, but Chalamet would be ready to take it on.
Patrick Bateman’s age may not be that important to Guadagnino, so it could be an option to cast someone in their 30s or 40s. A few of the best actors that fall in that range who could play Bateman are Jake Gyllenhaal, Armie Hammer and Bill Skarsgård.
Gyllenhaal has shown moviegoers he can play a convincingly good psychotic character in Dan Gilroy’s “Nightcrawler” (2014), and his range could cover what needs to be done with Guadagnino’s version of Bateman.
Hammer and Skarsgård are guys who could pull off playing Bateman, too. Hammer could reunite with Guadagnino and make a film with a character suiting him extremely well. Like Bale and Elordi, Hammer can balance being charming and wanting to chop someone up with an ax.
Skarsgård has that look as well. He has already experienced roles requiring him to be a villain — mostly in horror films. Three of the actors mentioned all have the perfect eyes of someone truly insane.
These are just a few choices to play Patrick Bateman from many possibilities. People will only know for sure when the cast is officially announced. No matter who it is, audiences will be in for a ride.
