Austin Butler is the new Patrick Bateman.
The 33-year-old actor was officially cast as the violent serial killer originally played by Christian Bale over 20 years ago, Variety confirmed Tuesday.
Luca Gadagnino’s new movie is an adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’ 1991 novel, and not a remake of the 2000 film directed by Mary Herron.
Butler’s casting as the investment banker who lives a double life as a serial killer sparked huge reactions online.
Fans brought up the fact that Butler infamously did method acting when he played Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 biopic.
“We’re about to see method acting to a whole other level,” one person wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“So annoyed we are going to have endure austin butlers method acting for the next two years except now he’s method acting as patrick bateman,” someone else said.
“They saw austin method act for elvis and made him american psycho? we’re all in danger,” another fan tweeted.
A fourth person responded to the casting news by saying, “I hope this bombs. I’m not ready for a full two years of Austin butler method acting like Patrick Bateman.”
More critics argued that Butler has been given enough opportunities in Hollywood lately, and they would’ve preferred to see someone else take on the iconic role.
“WHO THE F–K THOUGHT CASTING AUSTIN BUTLER IN #AmericanPsycho, that doesn’t even need to be remade, WAS A GOOD IDEA???” one person wrote. “He can act, don’t get me wrong. But for f—ing Patrick Bateman? There were way better choices.”
“Are there any other actors in Hollywood god damn it’s always the same 3,” somebody else tweeted.
Another X user said, “Why does Hollywood keep recycling the same 5 actors?”
“Austin Butler is a terrible casting choice for American Psycho 2. Gimme a Glen Powell or a Rami Malek,” a different fan wrote.
However, other fans defended Butler’s casting and predicted that he’ll do a great job in the film.
“I can’t wait for him to gag y’all. i’m sorry but pretending that man not talented is crazy work,” one person said.
“I can’t explain it but Austin Butler was one of the right choice to play in American Psycho,” added another fan.
A third person 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.”
According to Variety, Jacob Elordi was rumored to be in the mix to play Patrick Bateman.
Ironically, Elordi, 27, also played Elvis in Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla” movie last year.
Butler’s role as the King of Rock and Roll earned him an Oscar nomination in 2023. He was mocked on social media for spending three years transforming into Elvis and acting like the late star for the movie.
“During Elvis, I didn’t see my family for about three years,” he previously told Variety. “I was off in New York prepping with Baz, and then I went to Australia. I had months where I wouldn’t talk to anybody.”
Butler also explained how method acting impacted him negatively. “You can lose touch with who you actually are. And I definitely had that when I finished Elvis — not knowing who I was.”
After “Elvis,” Butler gave up on method acting when it came to his villainous role in “Dune Part 2.”
“With Feyd, I knew that that would be unhealthy for my family and friends,” he told the Los Angeles Times in February.
