Austin Butler Stars in American Psycho

The movie could be particularly bloody

By Jonas Reichel on

Progress is being made on the new adaptation of "American Psycho". Now the lead actor has finally been cast: Austin Butler.

This news comes from the trade magazine Variety. Butler has made a name for himself in Hollywood in recent years – his appearances in the "Elvis" movie or in "Dune 2" speak for themselves. We are excited to find out how Butler will interpret the role of serial killer Patrick Bateman. He has big shoes to fill, after all, Christian Bale's portrayal from 2000 is still one of his most famous performances to date.

The movie is directed by renowned filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, known for works such as "Call Me by Your Name" and "Challengers" with Zendaya. The screenplay is by Scott Z. Burns, who previously wrote "The Bourne Ultimatum".

The handling of violence in the story is likely to be particularly interesting. Whereas the 2000 film adaptation was more subdued in its brutality compared to the original novel, Guadagnino might go one step further. The director has already proven with his remake of "Suspiria" that he does not shy away from large-scale acts of violence.

Based on initial information, the reinterpretation will deviate from the original story and be set in the present day instead of the 80s. "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 preys on young women.

A release date for the remake isn't known yet.

Austin Butler's Career: From Teen Star to Up-And-Coming Star

Austin Butler is a name that has become increasingly prominent in the world of film in recent years. Born in Anaheim, California, in 1991, the actor began his career early and has since established himself as a versatile talent in the entertainment industry. His path has been characterized by constant development, hard work and an impressive dedication to his craft.

The Beginnings as a Teen Star

Austin Butler started his career in the entertainment industry like many young actors: in television series for teenagers. His first roles were in popular shows such as "Hannah Montana" and "iCarly". These guest appearances made him known to a young audience and opened up further opportunities for him. His charming charisma and natural acting talent soon landed him bigger roles in series such as "Zoey 101" and "Ruby & The Rockits".

He made a significant career move when he took on the lead role in the series "The Carrie Diaries", a prequel to the successful series "Sex and the City". There he played Sebastian Kydd, the teenage love interest of protagonist Carrie Bradshaw. The series, which ran between 2013 and 2014, brought him a wider fan base and recognition as an up-and-coming actor.

The Leap to the Big Screen

After his time in TV productions, Butler began to focus on bigger projects. He starred in films such as "Aliens in the Attic" and "Sharpay's Fabulous World" , which showcased his versatility. But it was his desire to embody more complex characters that motivated him to move away from typical teen roles.

A turning point in his career was his role in the film "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" (2019) by Quentin Tarantino. In the critically acclaimed film, he played butler Tex Watson, a member of the infamous Manson family. This role showed that he could also shine in demanding and dark characters and brought him into the focus of major filmmakers.

Image of ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD Trailer (2019)

The Breakthrough With Elvis

Austin Butler probably reached the biggest milestone of his career in 2022 when he took on the lead role in Baz Luhrmann's biopic "Elvis". In the film, he portrayed the "King of Rock 'n' Roll" Elvis Presley and impressed both critics and viewers with his performance. Preparation for the role was intense: Butler spent months perfecting Elvis' movements, speech and singing style. His dedication paid off, and he received numerous awards and nominations, including an Oscar nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

Dune 2, The Bikeriders and Masters of the Air

Butler has proven that he is not only an exceptional talent, but also smart in his choice of projects. In the sequel "Dune 2" (2024), he played Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, the charismatic but dangerous antagonist of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet).

Butler was also seen in "The Bikeriders", a film directed by Jeff Nichols that revolves around the emergence of a motorcycle gang in the 1960s. Here he played alongside stars such as Jodie Comer and Tom Hardy and once again immersed himself in a dark, character-driven story.

Another high-profile project is "Masters of the Air", a mini-series for Apple TV+ produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. The series tells the story of US bomber crews in the Second World War, and Butler plays one of the leading roles.

Image of Henry Cavill in Warhammer 40k, Avengers 5: Doomsday, Clayface, American Psycho