“Genuine” American Psycho Remake on the way

Lionsgate Entertainment recently announced plans to remake cult classic American Psycho, based on the novel by author Bret Easton Ellis.

American Psycho, famously adapted to film once before in 2000, celebrates a whispered status as that indie flick where Christian Bale gets naked and kills people with a chainsaw. The film, alongside 2004’s The Machinist could be said to have helped launch the now-monolithic Christian Bale’s career, and is a treasured favorite by indie-film enthusiasts.

The film is now being updated to a contemporary New York setting under the guidance of commercial and music video director Noble Jones, whose efforts and vision have received the treasured blessing of the novel’s author, Bret Easton Ellis.

Ellis tweeted on the 14th:

“Haters beware: I just had a long discussion with Noble Jones, the writer/director of the “new” American Psycho movie. His take is genuine…”

Though he hasn’t elaborated further, this kind of enthusiasm from the novel’s own author should somewhat allay the concerns of the original film’s dedicated and skeptical following.

Since the film is still very early in pre-production, casting news is slim, with only a rumor circulating that Ellis’s own choices regarding he-who-will-fill-Bale’s-shoes are little-known actors Miles Fisher (Gossip Girl, Mad Men) or Scott Disick (Keeping up with the Kardashians).

What about you? Did you read the book? Did you see the film? Should they leave well enough alone?