Bret Easton Ellis Thinks the ‘American Psycho’ Reboot with Luca Guadagnino and Austin Butler Is ‘Fake News’

Author Bret Easton Ellis says the announced “American Psycho” reimagining isn’t real.

Ellis said during his eponymous podcast that announced remake’s director Luca Guadagnino and rumored lead actor Austin Butler are not contracted for the feature. Regardless, Ellis confirmed that he is in no way involved in the potential reboot, despite writing the novel it will be adapted from.

“American Psycho” was first brought to the screen in 2000 with Mary Harron co-writing and directing; Christian Bale starred. Guadagnino’s version, which is being billed as an entirely new adaptation of Ellis’ book, was announced in 2024 as a Lionsgate film with Scott Z. Burns (“Extrapolations,” “The Bourne Ultimatum”) adapting. Ellis says Burns does not have a deal in place either.

Jacob Elordi was first rumored to be leading “American Psycho” prior to fellow Elvis-portrayer Butler being announced. Elordi has been a favorite of author Ellis’ ever since his “Oh, Canada” casting. Butler was later confirmed to be in talks for casting.

“I have a feeling it’s fake news,” Ellis said (via World of Reel) of the reboot. “I heard somewhere, from someone, that there are no contracts. Austin Butler hasn’t signed anything to play [character] Patrick Bateman. Luca doesn’t have a deal. Scott Burns, who is supposed to write the screenplay, doesn’t have a deal either.”

Ellis added, “From various sources that I have, this is just fake news that was put out there to see how an audience is going to react. […] If it does exist, I am not involved, I have nothing to do with this, I might get some money if they do this, but I am not involved creatively on any level, and that is all I know.”

Ellis, in the meantime, has his semi-autobiographical “The Shards” HBO series in the works with Kristoffer Borgli directing. He will additionally make his long-awaited directorial debut with “Relapse.” While “Gladiator II” and “Fantastic Four” actor Joseph Quinn was originally cast in the lead “Relapse” role, the actor has exited due to scheduling conflicts. “Relapse” centers on a man who witnesses a brutal death during a drug party and is thrust into an unsteady existential crisis upon entering rehab. 

Ellis has penned four films prior to “Relapse,” including Paul Schrader’s “The Canyons” and Tim Hunter’s “Smiley Face Killers.”