Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter at the US premiere of his latest film The Bride! in New York City on March 3, Bale was asked who he would like to see take on the character he famously portrayed in Mary Harron's 2000 horror-comedy film.
The Oscar-winning actor, 52, didn't name any specific successor.
“Whoever wants to give it a shot, give it a pop,” Bale said. “I loved making it with Mary Harron so many years back — fantastic memories of it all.”
A New Vision from Luca Guadagnino
The new adaptation is being helmed by Luca Guadagnino and is described as a fresh take on American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis, rather than a direct remake of the 2000 film.
Bale admitted he doesn't know much about Guadagnino's plans but expressed admiration for the ambition behind revisiting such an iconic story.
“Bold choice of anyone to try to do a, I don't know if they're doing a remake or what — I don't know anything else about it,” he said.
“But all the best to ’em, I like brave people.”
Guadagnino first teased his version of the project at CinemaCon last April, sparking widespread interest.
A Family Story About American Psycho
During the interview, Bale also shared a humorous family anecdote about the original film.
He recalled how his wife Sibi's mother once decided to watch American Psycho after learning he was an actor — without realizing just how graphic the film could be.
“Sibi’s mom hadn’t realized quite how many inappropriate moments there might be,” Bale said. The family tried fast-forwarding through certain scenes, only to find the issue persisted.
"And then she realized that almost the entire film is inappropriate. They got through it in 15 minutes," he joked.
From Patrick Bateman to Frankenstein's Creature
Bale's latest project sees him stepping into another literary role — Frankenstein's creature, known here as Frank — in The Bride!.
Set in the 1930s, the film pairs Bale's lonely undead character with Jessie Buckley's titular Bride as the two become outlaw lovers who spark a cultural movement.
The Bride! arrives in cinemas on March 6, marking yet another bold chapter in Bale's ever-evolving career.
