Hollywood’s Next Psycho? Patrick Schwarzenegger Is on Producers’ Shortlist

The knives are back out in Hollywood. With a remake of American Psycho in development under director Luca Guadagnino, speculation over who’ll step into Christian Bale’s blood-soaked shoes is hitting a fever pitch. The buzz? Patrick Schwarzenegger is reportedly in consideration for the role and yes, it’s a serious possibility.

Schwarzenegger, recently seen in The White Lotus, has become a popular fan pick for Patrick Bateman 2.0. His response? “I’d love nothing more,” he posted on X in April, replying directly to a suggestion he take on the role that helped cement Bale’s early legend. It’s not just online hype either, sources close to the production have confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that his name is indeed on the producers’ shortlist.

Still, the studio isn’t entirely sold. According to insiders, Lionsgate execs are debating whether the young actor has the depth, or the darkness, to headline a psychological horror classic. His resume, while growing, lacks a definitive leading role. That said, Bale himself was no blockbuster regular when American Psycho debuted in 2000. Pre-Batman Begins, his résumé leaned toward indie films, much like Schwarzenegger’s does now.

Schwarzenegger is working on changing that narrative. He’s co-starring opposite Margaret Qualley in Amazon MGM’s upcoming Love of Your Life and continues to be linked to bigger projects, including rumored involvement in Marvel’s X-Men reboot and his own push to reboot Twins alongside his father, Arnold.

But what about American Psycho itself? When asked by The Hollywood Reporter if the film was on his radar, Schwarzenegger chose to praise the director instead. “What’s on the very top of it is to work with a person like that, like Luca,” he said. Safe answer, but telling.

With Guadagnino tied up on the Amazon sci-fi feature Artificial, there’s still time before cameras roll. And that might be exactly what Schwarzenegger needs. Time to convince the doubters he’s more than just a legacy name. Time to show he’s got the menace behind the smile. Because when it comes to American Psycho, charm isn’t enough, you need to be able to kill with it.

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