As a lifelong fan of all things macabre and monstrous, I can barely contain my excitement for Guillermo del Toro’s upcoming adaptation of Frankenstein. The man has proven time and again that he possesses an uncanny ability to breathe new life into classic tales of terror, and his passion for this story dates back decades.
Despite the cancellation of the Dark Universe following the underwhelming response to Tom Cruise’s The Mummy, Universal’s classic monster characters are making a comeback. Leigh Whanell’s successful reboot, The Invisible Man, has paved the way for another revival in 2025 with Wolf Man. It seems there remains a strong interest in these monstrous characters, regardless of whether they belong to a connected universe. Guillermo del Toro’s upcoming Frankenstein is set to carry on this trend, and early indications suggest that the film could establish its own unique universe separate from other monster films.
“This movie is particularly attractive due to Guillermo del Toro’s direction and Oscar Isaac portraying the scientist, Victor Frankenstein. For those not familiar with the story of ‘Frankenstein’, it primarily focuses on an ambitious scientist trying to bring life into being, but instead creating a monster who bears his last name. The role of the monster is taken by the rising talent, Jacob Elordi. Although official images of Isaac as Victor haven’t been shown yet, pictures posted by UnBoxPHD provide a sneak peek.
Completing the ensemble for Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” are Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz, and Ralph Fiennes. The latter is said to have a significant guest appearance by the director himself. As of now, the specific roles each actor will play haven’t been publicly announced, but it’s speculated that Mia Goth might take on the part of The Bride, a reanimated corpse intended as Frankenstein’s monster’s spouse. Given her rising status as a horror icon following the “X” trilogy directed by Ti West, her casting in this film seems quite fitting.
What Is Known About del Toro’s Frankenstein So Far
Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of “Frankenstein” is bypassing traditional movie theaters and going straight to Netflix for release. This move mirrors the trend initiated with del Toro’s “Pinocchio,” although the latter eventually saw a physical release through the Criterion Collection. Del Toro has long harbored a desire to bring the story of “Frankenstein” to life, a dream that has faced numerous setbacks over the years. In an interview with Collider in 2010, he expressed his admiration for Mary Shelley’s novel and discussed the story’s enduring appeal through its exploration of fear.
In my own words, one novel that deeply resonates with me is Frankenstein. The monster in this story expresses a sentiment that I could relate to as a child feeling excluded: “Within me burns an immense love, far beyond your comprehension. Yet, if I cannot stir it, I shall stir up fear instead.” As a disenfranchised child navigating a world that seemed misaligned in terms of size, people, morals, and rules, I felt like an outsider. The power I sought to regain was control, and the form of control I discovered was through instilling fear.
The reality is that I feel that fear is a very spiritual emotion. In a world where we are so pragmatic and materialistic, fear is the only emotion that allows even a sophisticated person to believe in something beyond. We are such skeptics that we find it difficult to believe in God and angels and a spiritual afterlife, but a moment of fear makes our spirit so vulnerable that it allows us to believe in something beyond that. It’s also a boundary, and there’s nothing that defines who you are more than boundaries, whether you cross them or not, in every aspect of your life, and horror is a really great boundary.”
In contrast to traditional Universal monster lore, this specific “Frankenstein” production doesn’t fit within an expansive universe. Despite potential disappointment for some fans, Universal has faced challenges establishing a cohesive universe. Earlier attempts like “Victor Frankenstein,” starring James McAvoy and Daniel Radcliffe, were intended to kickstart a series; however, the film’s underperformance necessitated a change in plans. Over the years, there have been numerous “Frankenstein” adaptations, but this one by Guillermo del Toro is expected to showcase unique horror elements due to his affinity for the genre.
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2024-09-16 20:31