EXCLUSIVE: Luca Guadagnino continues to run festivals with his film adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ Queer, but it looks like he has his sights set on another high-profile adaptation. Sources tell Deadline that Lionsgate is in final negotiations to publish a new take on Bret Easton Ellis’ American Psycho. Scott Z. Burns will be in charge of the screenplay. The Lionsgate film will be produced by Frenessy Films and executive produced by Sam Pressman, son of Edward R. Pressman, producer of the original 2002 film, through his company Pressman Films.
This novel by Ellis was a groundbreaking and controversial work when it was published in 1991. Not only was it an iconic Manhattan investment banker turned serial killer, but it was also an incredible attention to detail and graphic depiction of the world we were about to enter. Due to the distribution of the main characters, it was censored in several countries.
The first film, starring Christian Bale and directed by Mary Harron, has been a hit over the years, but sources say Guadagnino’s film will be a new adaptation of Ellis’ novel, rather than a remake. This property is something the studio has been looking to break out of for a while, and after a recent meeting with Guadagnino executives, they felt he was the perfect choice to bring a fresh spin.
“We’re excited to add another elite filmmaker to our upcoming schedule,” said Adam Fogelson, chairman of Lionsgate Film Group. “Luca is an incredible artist and visionary who is perfectly suited to create a completely new interpretation of this powerful and classic IP.”
Guadagnino’s latest film, Challengers, starring Zendaya, debuted at number one at the box office and was a huge hit with strong revenue and reviews. Queer, the latest film starring Daniel Craig, will be released by A24 on November 27th and will be screened at film festivals, including its premiere at the London Film Festival last week.
The filmmaker is currently starring in After the Hunt, starring Julia Roberts. Previous films include I Am Love, Suspiria, Bones and All, A Bigger Splash, and the Oscar-winning Call Me by Your Name. etc. Guadagnino is repped by CAA, Range Media Partners, Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher.
Burns recently created the limited series “Extrapolations” for Apple TV+. His feature film scripts include The Report, Side Effects, and The Bourne Ultimatum. It was also recently announced that the company will produce a Thumblite series starring Rosamund Pike for Netflix and Media Res.
Burns is repped by UTA, Range Media Partners, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner Auerbach Hynick Jaime LeVine Sample & Klein.
