Luca Guadagnino is bringing back 'American Psycho,' fans think Hollywood is officially out of ideas

Luca Guadagnino is reported to be developing a new film adaptation of American Psycho based on Bret Easton Ellis's novel. The news was confirmed during Lionsgate's CinemaCon presentation on April 1, 2025. Guadagnino joined via video to discuss the project.

Film Stories quoted Guadagnino as saying:

“We are really working hard to bring to the screen a new adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’ American Psycho, a book that I deeply love that is something that influenced me so much.”

Luca Guadagnino clarified that this isn't a remake of the 2000 film featuring Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman. Rather, it's a new interpretation of the original American Psycho novel.

Production is scheduled to commence in late 2025 or early 2026, but no specific dates are set yet.

Some folks are thrilled, others don't care. And naturally, jokes abound. Folks joked that Hollywood has exhausted ideas, and the trend of sequels is never-ending.

Some even hoped this was an April Fool's joke, while others noted that Hollywood cannot get enough of remakes and sequels — like nothing gets greenlit unless it's a rehash of something.

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Social media reacts as Luca Guadagnino confirms American Psycho

Fans joked that Luca Guadagnino could be running out of ideas. Others indicated that Hollywood only accepts projects if they are remakes, reboots, or sequels, as if the film industry is too scared to innovate.

User @rueeeeeb wrote on X:

"Can this dude come up with any original films of his own?"

User @Angelica_Reed1 mentioned:

"Hollywood's first question these days is "is it a sequel" otherwise it got no shot 😭"

User @betscrables went to say:

"I love Luca but some things can be left untouched 😭"

Some users are already speculating that the movie will fail, while others are simply baffled as to why a remake is even needed in the first place when the original is already perfect. Still others, on the other hand, are hoping that this is just an April Fools' prank by Luca Guadagnino.

A user, @simaleksic_ predicted:

"it's gonna flop."

Another user, @DrgonMonarch, added:

"Please be April Fools."

One user, @boowiebear, said:

"The movie is perfect, this is embarrassing."

Most people feel no actor should attempt to step into Christian Bale's shoes, adding that his performance in American Psycho was immaculate and cannot be reprised. Whoever follows in his footsteps will always live under his shadow, fans opined. Lots of people do not want another rendition of a film they feel was accomplished so well previously.

User @thefilmstans said:

"Naah man who gonna put himself in a position to be compared to a legendary Bale performance! They setting him up for failure!"

User @TheDFreshmaker asked:

"why not make something original and leave a masterpiece alone."

User @BethO29114 mentioned:

"Why!?! There is no need to remake this."

Some users were outright sarcastic, merely replying with a direct "no," while others joked about the news.

A user, @ChicChronically, sarcastically noted:

"What if… and hear me out… we made something new"

Another user, @Kozyra56330333, humorously said:

"With the utmost respect...no."

User @phiadosia commented:

"happy april fools hahahahhahahahahha!!!"

Austin Butler was recently rumored to play Patrick Bateman in the new film, but nothing has been confirmed yet. Luca Guadagnino, the director of films such as Call Me By Your Name and Suspiria, is heading the new project.

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