Luca Guadagnino in Talks to Direct New ‘American Psycho’ Film for Lionsgate

Luca Guadagnino is getting ready to explore a fresh take on Patrick Bateman.

The filmmaker is in negotiations to helm a new film adaptation for Lionsgate of the 1991 novel American Psycho by author Bret Easton Ellis. The book was previously adapted into a film from director Mary Herron that starred Christian Bale as lead character Bateman and hit theaters in 2000.

Scott Z. Burns is writing the script for the project that is produced by Frenesy Films. Sam Pressman of Pressman Films — whose father, Edward R. Pressman, produced the 2000 movie — is executive producing the new version.

“We are thrilled to add another elite filmmaker to our upcoming slate,” said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson in a statement. “Luca is a brilliant artist, and the perfect visionary to create a whole new interpretation of this potent and classic IP.”

Guadagnino’s most recent film is the Amazon feature Challengers, which stars Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Fast that hit theaters in the spring.

More to come.