Vernon Downs Lives

Jaime Clarke - who in what seems like another lifetime - had a book floating around (it was never published) called Vernon Downs that had Bret Easton Ellis as a character (search the archives for previous mentions of Vernon Downs) is bringing the novel back in a different form.

The publisher has details on the new Vernon Downs. Below is a portion of the plot teaser.

But when his fiancee leaves him and quickly marries someone else, his desperate mind fixates on Vernon Downs: together they read all of Downs' novels, saw the films based on his books, and followed Downs's movements through glimpses in gossip columns and profiles in glossy magazines. Once abandoned, Vernon Downs becomes a talisman for Charlie. He writes chastising letters to reviewers critical of Downs, co-opts Downs's writing style and themes for his own work, and even enrolls in a summer writing program at Camden, Downs's alma mater--all in an effort to feel a real connection with the author who meant so much to him and the love of his life...and perhaps find a way back to her.

I enjoyed the original version of Downs, and am glad to see the story is finally going to get a wide release.

Making Of The Canyons

Loads of details on the making of The Canyons - with a focus on the Lindsay Lohan circus.

It appears the film didn't turn out like Bret would have liked. Remains to be seen whether that's a good or bad thing.

Canyons Teaser - 1950's Style

Can't tell what to make of this project yet. This video and the previous trailer don't appear to take itself too seriously, but the acting in these clips looks horrendous - and not in an ironic way. Maybe these aren't real scenes? Maybe these are just put-ons for the ads?

Lindsay Being Lindsay

Lindsay Lohan misses Canyons work date. Shock! Hey Bret, you hired Lindsay fucking Lohan - of course she is going to be unprofessional and miss work days.

Patrick Bateman has just headed over to Lindsay Lohan's hotel to confront her as to why she missed her fucking ADR on "The Canyons" today...

— Bret Easton Ellis (@BretEastonEllis) October 18, 2012

I'd also do an inventory of any jewelry and clothing her character got to wear during filming.

Canyons Trailer

An official trailer for The Canyons has been released:

Canyons On Set Video

ET on set with The Canyons

Deen and Lohan In The Canyons

LINDSAY LOHAN and JAMES DEEN in a shot from THE CANYONS... twitter.com/BretEastonElli...

— Bret Easton Ellis (@BretEastonEllis) September 25, 2012

Ellis Interviewed in Paris Review

An interview of Ellis in The Parish Review.

Incidentally, someone recently noted that if Less Than Zero were written now it would be about twenty pages long because of cell phones and texting. There's a long stretch in the book where Clay is driving around looking for Julian, stopping off at friends' houses to use their phones. He even stops in at a McDonald's to use a pay phone. But people can find each other very easily now. A single text--"Dude, where the fuck are you? I want my money"--would take care of three-fourths of the action in the book.

American Psycho Limited Edition

Thanks to Benedict for the heads up about a new limited edition hardback of American Psycho.

This edition features a fine new introduction by John Langan and a lengthy interview with Bret Easton Ellis. This is the first American hardcover edition of this novel ever published.

Each numbered copy is signed by Bret Easton Ellis, John Langan and Ben Baldwin. The signed edition is limited to 200 copies. Shipping information: This item will start shipping on or around October 5.

Casting for The Canyons

Ellis has been tweeting the casting decisions for The Canyons. I'll start aggregating them here:

AMANDA BROOKS as Gina. Announcing the cast of THE CANYONS this week. twitter.com/BretEastonElli...

— Bret Easton Ellis (@BretEastonEllis) June 26, 2012

Ellis Interested In Fifty Shades of Grey

So, Bret is interested in bringing Fifty Shades of Grey to the big screen. I haven't read the books, but - like everyone else - have heard alot about them over the past month. This would be interesting.

From his twitter feed:

The Canyons Gets Funded

Originally picked up by Showtime as a series, The Canyons is now going to be a feature film and itjust got funded via Kickstarter.

Bunch of details after the jump.

A Patrick Bateman Inspired Killer?

Was alleged Canadian killer Luka Rocco Magnotta inspired by American Psycho?

I'm completely offended by recent articles in the news: Luka Magnotta is a fucking amateur compared to Patrick Bateman.

— Bret Easton Ellis (@BretEastonEllis) June 9, 2012

The Canyons Lives!

So The Canyons is really going to happen - just not as originally planned.

It was originally picked up as a dark soap opera for Showtime, but is now going to be a feature film.

The Canyons Facebook page has lots of info.

Director Paul Schrader and writer Bret Easton Ellis join producer Braxton Pope to finance THE CANYONS, an original Ellis script about youth, glamour, sex and Los Angeles, circa 2012. "We came to the same point at the same time," Schrader said. "We all experienced the frustrations of financing and institutional censorship. But now, with advances in digital photography and distribution, we can tell a story in the manner we choose. Movies are changing and we're changing with it."

Bret Interview About American Psycho

Interview with Bret about American Psycho. Like his answer about his books being 'dated' by all the pop culture references found within them.

Also interesting to hear him say he was scared to re-read American Psycho as prep for writing Lunar Park. He was concerned that all the early critics might have been right.

Re-Making the American Psycho Movie

I'm not sure what the purpose behind a re-make of the American Psycho movie is - but it apparently might happen (not yet greenlit according to Variety).

Noble Jones wrote the script and is also directing.

Jones pitched the project to Lionsgate several months ago and recently turned in a script that explores how Bateman would fare in modern-day Gotham.

@BretEastonEllis has a tweet about it.

I have warned Lionsgate that I will not approve a new version of "American Psycho" unless it stars SCOTT DISICK or MILES FISHER.

How To Live Your Live Like An Ellis Novel

From Thought Catalog - How To Live Your Life Like Its A Bret Easton Ellis Novel. An excerpt:

Care a lot about freeways and restaurants and streets. It's important to note that you took Fountain instead of Sunset to meet your drug dealer because Sunset is usually a nightmare and makes you anxious.

Ellis Announces Last(?) Bookstore Appearance ... Ever

Is Ellis serious about being done with writing novels? It appears so.

@BretEastonEllis The last ever U.S. bookstore appearance of "Bret Easton Ellis" will be held at Skylight Books in Los Angeles on Thursday, May 19th, 2011...

Ellis Writes About Charlie Sheen

Bret has an article in The Daily Beast about how Charlie Sheen is giving us what we want.

According to Bret's twitter feed, this is a softened, edited version of what could be a much bigger, harsher article.

Testing New Server

Testing.

We've moved to a new server and this is a test post. Hopefully everything goes well, but if you notice anything odd over the next few days - please send me an email.