Rumours are swirling in Hollywood that Margot Robbie may be in line to lead a remake of the cult classic American Psycho, the 2000 thriller that made Christian Bale a global star. While no official casting has been confirmed, reports suggest Robbie has been approached for a modern reimagining of the film, which would see her step into a gender-flipped version of the infamous Patrick Bateman role — the suave, psychopathic Wall Street killer whose obsession with appearances and material wealth became one of cinema’s most haunting portrayals of capitalist excess.
The potential move has sparked huge buzz online, not least because Robbie’s recent streak of bold, creative projects — from Barbie to Babylon — shows her commitment to taking on complex, layered characters. Her production company, LuckyChap Entertainment, has also developed a reputation for reviving cultural touchstones through a sharp feminist lens, leading fans to speculate that this new American Psycho could be an exploration of power, image, and violence from a female perspective.
The original American Psycho, directed by Mary Harron and based on Bret Easton Ellis’s controversial 1991 novel, was both shocking and stylish — a satirical look at the hollow world of 1980s yuppie culture. The film followed Patrick Bateman, a wealthy investment banker who hides his murderous impulses behind a perfect smile and a meticulous morning routine. Released in 2000, it became an instant talking point due to its extreme violence, dark humour, and biting social commentary.
Behind the scenes, the project was nearly derailed multiple times. Initially, Leonardo DiCaprio was set to play Bateman after his success in Titanic, but fans protested, fearing his image would be damaged by the film’s brutality. He ultimately dropped out, and Christian Bale — then relatively unknown — took over, delivering a career-defining performance. Director Mary Harron famously said that Bale “understood the joke” of Bateman — that the horror came not from a monster, but from a man utterly devoted to consumer perfection.
The movie’s now-iconic scenes, such as Bateman’s chilling morning routine and his monologue about Huey Lewis and the News before an axe murder, became pop culture staples. The film was both panned and praised upon release, but over time, it found new life as a darkly comic critique of toxic masculinity, privilege, and identity. Today, American Psycho is considered one of the most influential psychological thrillers of the 21st century.
Margot Robbie’s possible involvement comes at a time when Hollywood is reimagining many late-90s and early-2000s cult films. A female-led version of American Psycho could shift the narrative dramatically, potentially reinterpreting the story through themes of gender, beauty standards, and the pressures of perfection in a social media-driven world. Given Robbie’s talent for balancing glamour with grit — as seen in I, Tonya and Barbie — she could bring a chillingly modern energy to the role.
Interestingly, this wouldn’t be Robbie’s first connection to the world of high-gloss excess and moral decay. In The Wolf of Wall Street, she portrayed Naomi Lapaglia, the glamorous wife of Leonardo DiCaprio’s Jordan Belfort — a performance that required both vulnerability and sharp comedic timing. That film, much like American Psycho, examined the dark underbelly of wealth and greed, suggesting Robbie is already well-suited for a similar thematic space.
Over the years, American Psycho has inspired everything from memes to stage musicals. In 2013, a West End adaptation premiered in London starring Matt Smith, and the story continues to be referenced in fashion and film circles alike. The character of Patrick Bateman has become a shorthand for narcissism and consumerist obsession — themes that remain as relevant today as ever.
If Robbie does take on the role, the remake could explore the psychological toll of image-obsessed culture from a distinctly 21st-century perspective. The world of Bateman — luxury apartments, business cards, and brand worship — has evolved into one of Instagram filters, influencer marketing, and digital validation. A modern American Psycho could easily take place in Los Angeles or New York’s social media elite circles, turning the mirror back on society’s ongoing obsession with perfection.
While details about the project remain scarce, insiders suggest the film would be developed under LuckyChap’s production umbrella, which has backed acclaimed titles like Promising Young Woman and Saltburn. Both films delve into moral ambiguity and social commentary — exactly the type of territory a new American Psycho would inhabit.
Whether Margot Robbie ultimately signs on or not, the mere idea of her leading such an iconic psychological thriller speaks volumes about her artistic range. With an outstanding track record, she's proven she's capable of turning a deeply unsettling role into something both terrifying and thought-provoking. If the rumours prove true, this remake could become one of the most anticipated — and controversial — reimaginings in recent memory.
