One of ‘the greatest films of all time’ streaming on Netflix ahead of remake

An iconic thriller with a star-studded cast is streaming now on Netflix as fans got an update on its controversial remake.

Directed by Mary Harron and based on the story of the same name by Bret Easton Ellis, American Psycho tells the story of yuppie Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale) in 1980s New York City.

The young investment banker struggles with increasingly violent fantasies that threaten to spill over into his real life, with devastating consequences for those around him.

The cast is rounded out by the likes of Willem Dafoe, Reese Witherspoon, Samantha Mathis, Chloë Sevigny, and Jared Leto.

Released in 2000, it was a box office hit and developed a strong cult following in the decades that followed, often being dubbed one of the greatest films ever made.

A direct-to-video sequel, American Psycho 2, was released in 2002, and last year it was announced that a fresh adaptation of the novel was in the works, directed by Luca Guadagnino.

An insider told The Sun that plans were in motion to remake the cult classic with a female version of Bateman, with Barbie star Margot Robbie tipped for the leading role.

The source claimed: ‘Brett’s novel and the film were so controversial, and the people working on the remake wanted to twist the narrative by having a female actress take on the lead of Bateman.’

‘There was a huge backlash about misogyny when the novel came out back in the Nineties, and by having a female killer, it puts a different spin on the crimes.’

However, a source close to the project told Deadline shut down rumours that a woman would play Patrick Bateman in the new film.

Speaking to Metro in June this year, Harron explained that she cannot see anyone matching Bale’s depiction of Bateman.

She said: ‘I really can’t [imagine anyone else as Patrick], because also to me, it’s just fixed in my mind. I can’t reimagine it in that way.

‘But good luck to them. I’m just glad… It’s amazing to me that people are still this interested 25 years on – and more successful now than it was 25 years ago.

‘When it first came out, audiences didn’t know what to think about it. I remember in the very first screening at Sundance, people didn’t know whether it was supposed to be funny or not.’

When asked whether American Psycho needs to be remade, she added: ‘I personally don’t, but obviously that’s how I would think.

‘It could surprise me, and be completely phenomenal, and something I would never have imagined…’

Dune and Elvis star Austin Butler was previously tipped for the role, as was Frankenstein actor Jacob Elordi, but no casting information has been released as yet.

American Psycho is streaming now on Netflix.

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