UPDATE: Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro has confirmed that after a staggering 20 years of trying to bring his vision of Frankenstein to life, it is finally happening, thanks to Netflix. In a candid interview with BBC Radio 4’s This Cultural Life, del Toro recounted his long struggle to secure backing for this iconic adaptation of Mary Shelley’s gothic horror novel.
Del Toro, 61, revealed that the project faced repeated rejections until Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s CEO, made the pivotal move to reach out to him. “Everybody passed,” del Toro stated, emphasizing the challenges he faced. Sarandos asked, “What is your bucket list?” and provided the filmmaker with the scale and freedom to produce the film as he envisioned.
The eagerly anticipated film is set to be released in November 2025 and has already begun generating Oscar buzz. The cast features notable actors including Oscar Isaac, Mia Goth, and Jacob Elordi, who has been recognized with nominations at the Golden Globes and Actor Awards for his performance.
Del Toro expressed his deep connection to the characters in Frankenstein, stating, “Every character I write has to have something of me.” He reflected on his evolution as a writer, noting that while he once identified with protagonists in his younger years, he now often sees himself in the antagonists he creates.
The filmmaker’s upbringing in Guadalajara, Mexico, has profoundly influenced his artistic vision. He described the city as “incredibly traditional” and “religious,” stating, “The Bible is the goriest reading that to this day I have ever had.” Del Toro’s admiration for Shelley’s work began in childhood, identifying as a “gothic romance addict,” which he cites as a crucial inspiration for his films.
With a reputation for creating visually stunning and emotionally resonant cinema, del Toro is already an award-winning director known for films like The Shape of Water, Pinocchio, and Pan’s Labyrinth. He will be honored with the BFI Fellowship at the annual BFI Chair’s dinner in May 2026.
As anticipation builds for del Toro’s adaptation of Frankenstein, audiences are eager to see how he will reinterpret this classic tale. With the film’s release date quickly approaching, fans and critics alike are preparing for what promises to be a groundbreaking cinematic experience.
Stay tuned for further updates as the release date nears and more details about the film emerge.
