Naturally, fans immediately began linking the director to actor Drew Starkey, following their celebrated collaboration on the romantic drama Queer.
In a candid interview with GQ, Starkey addressed the casting rumors head-on—offering just enough intrigue to keep the internet guessing.
“The Script Is Amazing”
When asked directly about the rumors connecting him to Guadagnino’s American Psycho project, Starkey kept his cards close to his chest while dropping a tantalizing hint:
“No comment. The script is amazing, though. I’ve read the script, but Luca’s my friend. I think I’ve read all of his scripts.”
While Starkey avoided confirming or denying any official casting talks, his admission that he has already read Guadagnino’s screenplay proves he remains inside the director’s inner circle.
A Natural Fit for the Material?
Drew Starkey during the 81st Venice International Film Festival on September 03, 2024 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) // Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman in ‘American Psycho’ (2000) – IMDb
Playing a complex, dark character wouldn’t be uncharted territory for Starkey. For four seasons on Netflix’s Outer Banks, he played Rafe Cameron—a volatile, emotionally unhinged young man whose character arc ironically earned him fan comparisons to a modern prep-school antagonist.
Whether Starkey ultimately steps into Patrick Bateman’s polished loafers or takes on another key role in Guadagnino’s adaptation, one thing is certain: his artistic partnership with Guadagnino is far from over.
