BREAKING: Guillermo del Toro has officially announced he has secured the green light for his long-awaited adaptation of Frankenstein, a project he has pursued for over 20 years. The acclaimed Mexican filmmaker revealed the news during an interview on BBC Radio 4’s This Cultural Life, stating that the breakthrough came when Netflix reached out to him.
Del Toro, aged 61, recounted the struggles he faced in bringing this iconic gothic horror tale to life, saying, “Every time I tried, everybody passed on making it.” The turning point came when Ted Sarandos, the chief executive of Netflix, asked him about his “bucket list” projects. Del Toro emphasized the significance of this moment: “He [Sarandos] gave me the scale, a chance to make the film, a theatrical release – and more importantly, complete freedom.”
Set to be released in 2025, del Toro’s Frankenstein is based on Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel and tells the story of a scientist who creates a monstrous being in an audacious experiment. The film has already generated significant Oscar buzz, particularly for its star-studded cast, including Oscar Isaac from Star Wars, Mia Goth, and Jacob Elordi of Saltburn fame, who has garnered nominations at the Golden Globes and the Actor Awards.
Del Toro expressed a personal connection to the characters in Frankenstein, stating, “Every character I write has to have something of me.” He elaborated on his evolving perspective as a writer, saying, “When you’re young, you write as the protagonist. The older you get, you write yourself as the antagonist.”
The filmmaker, known for his Oscar-winning works like The Shape of Water, Pinocchio, and Pan’s Labyrinth, cited his upbringing in Guadalajara, Mexico, as a major influence on his storytelling. Reflecting on his childhood, he described it as “incredibly traditional” and “like the 1800s,” emphasizing how his Catholic background has shaped his artistic vision.
In a provocative statement, del Toro remarked, “The Bible is the goriest reading that to this day I have ever had. Why would a father send his child to be crucified and tortured?” His passion for the gothic genre began at a young age, and he identified himself as a “gothic romance addict,” drawing inspiration from Shelley’s classic.
In addition to his film projects, del Toro is set to receive the BFI Fellowship at the annual BFI Chair’s dinner in London in May 2026, further solidifying his status in the film industry.
Stay tuned for more updates as del Toro’s Frankenstein progresses towards its release. This project not only marks a significant milestone in his career but also brings a beloved literary classic back to the big screen, promising to captivate audiences worldwide.
