Summary

• del Toro's adaptation of Frankenstein is highly anticipated for being faithful to the classic monster's story.
• The new movie may align closely with Shelley's novel structure, including a pivotal scene on a sailing ship.
• The star-studded cast includes Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as his tormented creation.

Celebrated director Guillermo del Toro is finally setting his sites on the classic horror story, Frankenstein, and there are already a ton of exciting updates about his adaptation. Originally published in 1818 and written by Mary Shelley, the novel not only birthed the modern science fiction genre, but revolutionized horror with its story of a man-made monster on a quest for revenge against his troubled creator. Unlike other horror tales, Frankenstein crackled with life because of the sympathetic monster whose life is just as tormented as the scientist who he chases to the ends of the earth.

Naturally, Frankenstein was one of the first horror novels to be adapted into film, and there were silent versions of the story in the 1910s. Though other movie's predated it, the 1931 portrayal of Frankenstein's monster, played by Boris Karloff, is perhaps the most famous version of all. However, the James Wale-directed Universal Classic Monster movie notably deviates from Shelley's source material and leaves many of its themes behind. Other adaptations have tried to stick closer to the novel, but few filmmakers have the same stylistic approach as Guillermo del Toro which makes him uniquely suited for Frankenstein.

Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein Latest News

A Set Photo Teases A Pivotal Scene

With much of the production being kept under wraps, the latest news sees a pivotal Frankenstein scene teased in a BTS photo from the new movie. Posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) page, director Guillermo del Toro poses for a picture with actor Nikolaj Lie Kaas and cinematographer Dan Laustsen on what appears to be a sailing ship. Though it isn't a confirmation, this set suggests that the movie is following the structure of the book in which Victor Frankenstein is rescued by a ship in the polar region, and he recounts his tale to the captain.

It's possible that del Toro's new adaptation is going to use the same framework as Shelley's novel, in which the story jumps from the past to the present as Victor recounts the entire event. The ship continues to play an important role in the story as Victor finally catches up with the monster one last time after he has told his entire tale.

Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein Is Confirmed

It Has Taken A Long Time To Finally Happen

There were several instances where the film was nearly made, but some event delayed the production, and del Toro's busy working schedule made it nearly impossible to squeeze in.

Guillermo del Toro's quest to make a Frankenstein film began in 2007, but it has taken until 2024 for his vision to finally become a reality. There were several instances where the film was nearly made, but some event delayed the production, and del Toro's busy working schedule made it nearly impossible to squeeze in. Then, del Toro's partnership with Netflix allowed his Frankenstein movie to move forward, and the current iteration is the one that will actually see the light of day.

Stream 1931's Frankenstein on Classix.

Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein Cast

Oscar Isaac & Jacob Elordi Star As Frankenstein & His Monster

The cast of Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein has seen a few changes since it was first green-lit by Netflix in 2023, namely the departure of Andrew Garfield. However, the main cast is locked in, and Oscar Isaac is slated to play the troubled scientist Victor Frankenstein whose creation teaches him a valuable lesson about playing god. Opposite Isaac will be Jacob Elordi as the tortured monster who roams the earth in search of his creator and is an outcast wherever he goes. Mia Goth and Christoph Waltz have also been cast, but their roles are unknown at this time.

The cast of Frankenstein includes:

Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein Story

A Faithful Novel Adaptation Is Expected

Contrary to most portrayals of Frankenstein's creation as a shuffling brute, Shelley's novel actually weaves a sensitive tale of a tortured soul who was brought into the world against his will and is immediately labeled a monster.

Though del Toro has not revealed his full plans for Frankenstein, it can be assumed that it will follow the structure of the novel closely. Contrary to most portrayals of Frankenstein's creation as a shuffling brute, Shelley's novel actually weaves a sensitive tale of a tortured soul who was brought into the world against his will and is immediately labeled a monster. The bulk of the novel is told in retrospect, and is told from the perspective of the monster and the doctor as they recount their versions of events.

Guillermo del Toro's adaptation of Pinnochio was notably different from the book, and it's unclear if the acclaimed director will put a stylized flare on the universe of the Frankenstein story. The director is known for his love of classic horror stories, and he will undoubtedly pay homage to other adaptations such as the 1931 James Wale classic from Universal.