Johnny Depp was one of the first stars considered for the role of yuppie serial killer Patrick Bateman, according to director Mary Harron. Depp was offered the role in 1992, just one year after the book “American Psycho” by Bret Easton Ellis hit shelves.

Lionsgate quickly lapped up the film rights and wanted a bankable face onboard. Depp was coming off an unusual star turn in Tim Burton’s gothic fairy tale, “Edward Scissorhands,” in 1990 and would certainly have qualified. Unfortunately, “American Psycho” took almost eight years to go from licensing to production, and Depp moved on. This was one of his more prolific periods as an actor, including standout work in “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” in 1993, “Ed Wood” in 1994, and most prominently, the gangster classic “Donnie Brasco” in 1997.

Depp shot some dud thrillers in this period too, like “The Ninth Gate” and “Nick of Time,” so maybe he wouldn’t mind replacing those misses with such a seminal film. Ultimately, the star has shined in roles where he’s got a comedic hitch in his step and a twinkle in his eye. Bateman is hollow, and not the slapstick, sleepy kind. He’s a twisted spectacle, not a kid-friendly delight. If Depp had made a reputation back in the early ’90s playing a murderous narcissist, do we ever get the avuncular joy of Captain Jack Sparrow? Perhaps not.