Luca Guadagnino directs the "American Psycho" remake

The remake of the cult classic "American Psycho " starring Christian Bale continues to make progress, as "Challengers" director Luca Guadagnino is set to direct the film.

According to Deadline sources, the Italian director is in final negotiations with Lionsgate to direct "American Psycho". Guadagnino was previously responsible for the 2018 remake of "Suspiria", which was positively received by fans and critics. Scott Z. Burns, known for his screenplays for "Contagion" and "The Bourne Ultimatum", will be responsible for the script.

According to initial information, the reinterpretation will deviate from the original story, which was set in the 1980s, and take place in the present day. "American Psycho" tells the story of investment banker Patrick Bateman, whose life is characterized by ideals of beauty, luxury goods and belonging to the upper class. Behind the façade, however, is a serial killer who primarily targets young women. Bateman was played by Chrisitan Bale in the first film adaptation – probably one of his best-known roles. Information on a possible cast or start date is not yet known.

All films by Luca Guadagnino at a glance

Luca Guadagnino is an Italian filmmaker known for his visually striking and emotionally profound films. He began his career in the 1990s and has since established himself as one of the most influential directors working today. Guadagnino is particularly known for his ability to tell intimate stories about human relationships, often with a mesmerizing visual aesthetic. With a variety of genres, he has proven to be a master of both romantic dramas and horror films. Among his most outstanding

Early career and breakthrough

Guadagnino was born in Palermo in 1971 and grew up in Ethiopia before returning to Italy. After studying film science in Rome, he began making experimental films. He made his directorial debut in 1999 with "The Protagonists", a film about a real murder case. Although this first film did not bring him the desired commercial success, he already showed his preference for visually strong and emotionally charged stories.

His international breakthrough came in 2009 with "I Am Love" (Io sono l'amore). The film, in which Tilda Swinton plays a leading role, tells the story of a wealthy Italian family whose harmonious façade is shattered by an unexpected love affair. I Am Love was praised by critics for its visual splendor and outstanding acting performances and was nominated for an Oscar in the "Best Costume Design" category.

A Bigger Splash and collaboration with Tilda Swinton

With "A Bigger Splash" (2015), Guadagnino continued his collaboration with Tilda Swinton. In this psychological thriller, which is a remake of the French film "The Swimming Pool", Swinton is joined by Ralph Fiennes, Dakota Johnson and Matthias Schoenaerts. The film revolves around the tensions that develop between a rock musician and his guests on an Italian island. Guadagnino's style of building tension through subtle emotions and intimate cinematography was again evident here. The film received positive reviews, particularly for its portrayal of the human psyche and its artful handling of emotional tension.

Call Me by Your Name and the breakthrough of Timothée Chalamet

In 2017, Guadagnino released "Call Me by Your Name", considered by many to be his masterpiece. The film is based on the novel of the same name by André Aciman and tells the story of the summer romance between the young Elio (played by Timothée Chalamet) and the older student Oliver (Armie Hammer) in 1980s Italy. The film was acclaimed worldwide and won several awards, including the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. Guadagnino's masterful direction, which focuses on intimate emotions, slow narrative structures and impressive landscapes, made "Call Me by Your Name" a modern classic of the love film. The collaboration with Timothée Chalamet turned out to be extremely successful and Chalamet became a star overnight.

Suspiria – an excursion into the horror genre

After the success of "Call Me by Your Name", Guadagnino turned to a completely different genre with "Suspiria" (2018). "Suspiria" is a reinterpretation of Dario Argento's 1977 horror film of the same name. Guadagnino created a dark, complex horror film that relies less on shock moments and more on subtle, psychological horror elements. Dakota Johnson and Tilda Swinton play the leading roles in this story about a dance academy ruled by witches.

The film was met with a mixed reception, but received praise for its bold reinterpretation and Guadagnino's artistic vision. "Suspiria" showed his ability to work in different genres without losing his unique style.

We Are Who We Are, Challengers and Queer

In 2020, Guadagnino ventured into television with the HBO series "We Are Who We Are". The series is about two American teenagers living on a US military base in Italy. It deals with topics such as gender identity, sexual orientation and the search for one's own self. The series was praised for its sensitive portrayal of youth and their search for identity and shows Guadagnino's interest in coming-of-age stories.

2024 saw the release of "Challengers", a romantic drama starring Zendaya, Josh O'Connor and Mike Faist. The film is about a love triangle in the world of professional tennis. This year, we can also look forward to "Queer", which is based on the novel of the same name. This film, which focuses on the difficult themes of sexual identity and self-discovery, fits Guadagnino's style perfectly.