At this point, there’s been all sorts of speculation over who will take on the role of Patrick Bateman in Luca Guadagnino‘s planned adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis‘ 1991 novel. Especially after it was reported that various high-profile actors have turned it down. Yet one name that has come up a few times now is Drew Starkey (pictured above in David Bruckner’s Hellraiser). The actor isn’t helping to calm the fire behind the smoke, either.
In a recent interview with GQ, the actor was asked about the project. Though he didn’t confirm his involvement, he did offer this curious tidbit: “The script is amazing.”
Realizing how that sounds, Starkey quickly added, “I’ve read the script, but Luca’s my friend. I think I’ve read all of his scripts.”
Sure. Whatever you say, Drew…
If (and it’s still a big if), Starkey is indeed involved, he’s certainly a fit for the part. The actor is no stranger to the genre, having appeared in David Bruckner’s Hellrasier. We’ll also see him soon in Adam Wingard’s Onslaught. On top of that, he’s a charismatic actor with a strong screen presence who doesn’t seem afraid to take risks with his roles. According to Christian Bale, who played Batemen in Mary Harron’s 2000 adaptation, that’s the kind of actor the part requires.
Said Bale to THR back in March, “Whoever wants to give it a shot, give it a pop. I loved making it with Mary Harron so many years back. Fantastic memories of it all. Bold choice of anyone to try to do it… I don’t know if they’re doing a remake or what. But all the best to ’em. I like brave people.”
Brave is a word you could definitely apply to Starkey.
As for the original’s director, Harron told Dread in June that she can’t imagine anyone else besides Bale playing Bateman. “[Christian Bale] is so firmly set in my mind, I can’t imagine anyone else doing it. Once I do casting, I can’t imagine anyone else in the main role — like I can’t imagine anyone else but Lili Taylor [in I SHOT ANDY WARHOL],” stated Harron.
“When I’ve done it, it’s like that’s it; that’s the person,” added the director. “They’re just fixed for me.”
Still, all we know for now is that the upcoming film will not be a remake of the 2000 movie that follows a serial killer’s spiral into madness. Instead, it’s expected to be a fresh adaptation of Ellis’ novel. Scott Z. Burns wrote the apparently “amazing” script.
What do you think? Should Starkey take on the role of the infamous Patrick Bateman in Lionsgate’s reboot? Let us know in the comments below!
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