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The remake of American Psycho is already stirring up strong opinions—and it hasn’t even started filming yet. One of the original film’s casting directors, Kerry Barden, recently said that Austin Butler might actually be too attractive to play the lead role of Patrick Bateman, a Wall Street banker with a chilling secret life as a serial killer.
The new version, backed by Lionsgate, is being directed by Luca Guadagnino (Call Me by Your Name, Queer), and fans have been divided since Butler was announced as the new Bateman. The character was originally brought to life by Christian Bale in 2000, whose cold, unhinged performance turned the film into a cult classic. Bale’s Bateman wasn’t just a killer in a suit—he was a disturbing reflection of obsession, greed, and image-obsessed culture.
But now, Barden, who helped cast that original film, has chimed in with some pointed feedback. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, he praised Butler’s acting chops but suggested he might be better suited to play Paul Allen, Bateman’s smug rival and eventual victim (played by Jared Leto in the original).
“I would cast Austin in Jared’s role because he’s that beautiful, and that’s why we cast Jared,” Barden explained. He went on to say that Butler, like Leto, has a kind of rare beauty that might work against the creepy charm needed to pull off Bateman’s twisted dual life.
That’s not a knock on Butler’s talent—Barden acknowledged that Butler, like Leto, is a skilled actor with emotional range. But the character of Bateman demands a darker, more unpredictable presence—something that goes beyond looks.
This debate hits on a deeper question: what kind of actor can truly embody someone as complex and disturbing as Patrick Bateman in today’s world? Bale set a high bar, blending cold charm with terrifying detachment. Fans and critics are now wondering if Butler, known for his Oscar-nominated turn as Elvis Presley, can tap into the same darkness—or if he’s just too polished for the part.