Guillermo del Toro adapts Frankenstein in a lavish film production for Netflix – which could also be getting a cinema release. Here’s a first-look teaser.
The dark allure of the gothic has always tugged at Guillermo del Toro’s soul, and whether he’s explored ideas of death, madness or othering in subtle hues or in an out and out maximalist style, these themes have been an almost companion to him throughout his filmmaking career.
Next up for the Mexican filmmaker is Frankenstein, an adaptation of Mary Shelley’s gothic novel. There was speculation a while back that Netflix is exploring the possibility of giving the film – which arrives in November – an IMAX release, extending the same courtesy to del Toro that Greta Gerwig has been offered for her Narnia film. Should that story prove to be true, then everything really will be in place for a signature film in del Toro’s ouevre, because from the way the movie’s stars are describing the production, it sounds like a venture that many will want to enjoy in the largest format possible.
At Netflix’s Tudum promotional event over the weekend, the Frankenstein teaser first emerged, while its stars came out to talk about the film, with Oscar Isaac – who plays the titular scientist – tellingThe Hollywood Reporter that when del Toro first brought up the idea, “I wasn’t expecting it. I was just sitting with him talking and after a long conversation he looked up at me and said, ‘I think that you need to be my Victor Frankenstein.’ I still can’t believe it.”
Perhaps most exciting is the way Isaac describes the film, calling it “a big, Mexican, dark, sumptuous, dramatic character piece.” Mia Goth – who plays Victor’s fiancée Elizabeth Lavenza – added, “It’s an incredibly epic film. I’ve never been a part of something so big and so grand, but it’s also incredibly emotional and deeply personal. It’s a story that’s been a part of Guillermo’s life since he was a boy and so I definitely think people might be pleasantly surprised by how much heart there is in this movie.”
Jacob Elordi is set to play the cursed creation of Victor Frankenstain, and should you continue to the trailer below, you’ll get a peek at the design that del Toro – a master at designing monsters – has created for the talented young actor. The film releases in November on Netflix and hopefully on IMAX screens too, although we’ll let you know if and when that’s confirmed.
Here’s the Frankenstein teaser for your delectation and delight:
