Austin Butler, recently acclaimed for his portrayal of Elvis, is cast as Patrick Bateman in Luca Guadagnino's version of American Psycho, and fans are going off with the memes, hot takes, and mixed reactions. Bateman, the iconic ‘80s Wall Street sociopath, was famously portrayed by Christian Bale in 2000, leaving big shoes (or should we say bloody loafers?) for Butler to fill.
Some are thrilled to see Butler tackle a drastically different role, while others are more skeptical, wondering whether Hollywood’s endless reboots are a sign that fresh ideas are becoming extinct.
"Hollywood is running out of ideas," one user commented.
Some fans ask, while others are ready to see Guadagnino's unique take on the tale of a man who is as obsessed with business cards as he is with murder.
Is Austin Butler ready for this chainsaw-wielding role?
Fans who think the actor is everywhere
Many fans aren’t shy about voicing their frustration with Hollywood’s latest reboot and, more importantly, the man who was cast for it. One user tweeted,
Another fan sarcastically wrote,
"Let’s stop giving Austin Butler roles"
For some, this remake feels unnecessary—after all, Christian Bale’s performance is still considered iconic.
For those in this camp, the idea of Butler tackling such a role is yet another sign that the industry is overly reliant on nostalgia and reboots rather than pushing for new and original stories.
Supporters are optimistic
Despite the skepticism, plenty of fans are eager to see how Butler will approach this role. One fan tweeted,
"You guys don’t see this Austin Butler American psycho vision the way I do but it’s fine I’ve always rooted for him"
Another chimed in,
"Method actor austin butler auditioning for american psycho"
For this group, Butler’s acting prowess is proof that he has the chops to pull off the intensity that Bateman’s character demands. After all, if he could embody The King so well, maybe he’ll bring something fresh to the American Psycho remake.
Memes flood the internet
No casting announcement is complete without the internet going bonkers with memes, and this one is no exception. Social media exploded with humor, with many poking fun at the idea of Butler stealing roles (and female love interests) from other actors. One fan joked,
"Austin Butler taking Kaia Gerber away from Jacob Elordi and now the American Psycho Luca role…"
Another hilarious take pointed out the possibility of Drew Starkey and Jacob Elordi stans being annoying to the point of casting directors getting frustrated and...
"Drew Starkey and Jacob Elordi stans were on Nicholas’ neck so bad just for the role to go to Austin Butler"
Memes and mockery—The internet reacts
Of course, with any major casting news, memes were inevitable. Many fans took to social media to express their bewilderment, some jokingly questioning whether Butler will be remembered for his role in Dune 2 or if the new film will jeopardize his career.
One fan tweeted,
“I would have gotten him for the new American Psycho, too. I'm sure Austin Butler will smash it, but Patrick Schwarzenegger would have been a very interesting take in my opinion”
While another quipped,
“Austin butler being the face of YSL right before he plays a high powered yuppie business man on wall street who’s also a killer, is divine timing omfg. The suiting is gonna be impeccable.”
Despite some opinions or jokes, some fans are genuinely excited to see what Butler and Guadagnino will bring to the table, pointing out that both have proven themselves capable of delivering complex, compelling performances.
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As the internet continues to debate Butler’s casting, one thing is certain: this remake will have people talking, whether it’s for better or worse. Guadagnino’s distinct style and Butler’s rising star power make this a bold, albeit risky, move for Hollywood.
In an industry that thrives on reinvention, maybe there’s more to this casting choice than meets the eye. Only time will tell if Butler’s Patrick Bateman will leave audiences as mesmerized as he did in Elvis—or if he’ll be singing a different *bloody* tune altogether.
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