Frankenstein (2025 film)

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Frankenstein
Directed byGuillermo del Toro
Screenplay byGuillermo del Toro
Based onFrankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus
by Mary Shelley
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyDan Laustsen
Music byAlexandre Desplat
Production
company
Double Dare You
Distributed byNetflix
Release date
  • 2025 (2025)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Frankenstein is an upcoming American Gothic science fiction horror film written and directed by Guillermo del Toro, based on Mary Shelley's 1818 novel Frankenstein. The film stars Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, Lars Mikkelsen, David Bradley, Christian Convery, Charles Dance, Felix Kammerer, and Christoph Waltz. It will be released on Netflix in 2025.

Premise

Victor Frankenstein strives to restore life to the dead, and succeeds in creating a horrific creature.

Cast

Production

Development

In 2007, Guillermo del Toro said that a project which he "would kill to make" would be a faithful "Miltonian tragedy" version of Frankenstein, citing Frank Darabont's "pretty much perfect" script, which evolved into Kenneth Branagh's Frankenstein.[1] In January 2008, he revealed that he was then in the process of crafting drawings which he hoped to use as a basis for the world of the film, and that, additionally, he had begun taking script notes but stopped once the WGA strike had occurred.[2] The following month, del Toro said of his vision:

"What I'm trying to do is take the myth and do something with it, but combining elements of Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein without making it just a classical myth of the monster. The best moments in my mind of Frankenstein, of the novel, are yet to be filmed [...] The only guy that has ever nailed for me the emptiness, not the tragic, not the Miltonian dimension of the monster, but the emptiness is Christopher Lee in the Hammer films, where he really looks like something obscenely alive. Boris Karloff has the tragedy element nailed down but there are so many versions, including that great screenplay by Frank Darabont that was ultimately not really filmed".[3]

Later that year, in September, the film was set up through del Toro's three-year first-look picture deal at Universal Pictures, alongside a slate of films he was announced to direct including Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Slaughterhouse-Five and Drood.[4] Del Toro cited Bernie Wrightson's Frankenstein illustrations as inspiration, and said the film would not be a direct adaptation of Mary Shelley's novel, but rather "an adventure story that involves the creature."[5][6] Del Toro wanted Wrightson to design his version of the creature.[7]

In 2009, del Toro stated that production on Frankenstein was not likely to begin for at least four years.[8] Despite this, he had already cast frequent collaborator Doug Jones in the role of Frankenstein's monster and begun initiating makeup tests with the actor.[9][10] Jones later commented that the project was shelved due to Universal's future plans for their Dark Universe franchise.[11] At Comic-Con 2010, del Toro told Collider that the story was his "favorite novel in the world."[12] In 2013, del Toro expressed public interest in casting Benedict Cumberbatch for the role of the monster.[13] In 2014, del Toro said that he would like to do versions of both Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein, and that Universal chairperson Donna Langley had approached him several times about getting it going but that he was reluctant to do so because it is his "dream project".[14] In 2020, in an interview promoting the film Antlers, del Toro stated that if he had the funding, he would make an adaptation of Frankenstein that would span two to three films due to the book's complexity and changing points of view.[15]

Frankenstein to me is the pinnacle of everything, and part of me wants to do a version of it, part of me has for more than 25 years chickened out of making it. I dream I can make the greatest Frankenstein ever, but then if you make it, you’ve made it. Whether it's great or not, it's done. You cannot dream about it anymore. That's the tragedy of a filmmaker. You can dream of something but once you've made it, you've made it. That's it. You landed a 10 or you landed a 6.5 but you were at the Olympics already, and you were judged.

—Guillermo del Toro[16]

In 2023, the project was revived by Netflix, who del Toro had signed a multi-year deal with to produce projects. Following the win of Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio at the 95th Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature, Variety revealed that he was set to write and direct the feature with Andrew Garfield, Oscar Isaac and Mia Goth in early talks for potential roles.[17] In September, del Toro revealed that filming was scheduled to commence in February 2024, and that Christoph Waltz had been added to the cast.[18] In January, Jacob Elordi replaced Garfield for the role of the monster, due to scheduling conflicts that had resulted from the SAG-AFTRA strikes.[19][20] Felix Kammerer, Lars Mikkelsen, David Bradley, Christian Convery, and Charles Dance joined the cast in undisclosed roles.[20][21] In April 2024, del Toro announced Ralph Ineson had been cast in the film in a "pivotal" cameo appearance.[22]

Filming

Principal photography began on February 12, 2024, in Toronto, and wrapped on September 30.[21][23] It took place at the Royal Mile in Edinburgh in September 2024.[24]

Release

Frankenstein is scheduled to be released on Netflix in 2025.[25]

References

  1. ^ Mike Sampson (October 26, 2007). "Guillermo talks!". JoBlo.com. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2007.
  2. ^ Adler, Shawn (January 1, 2008). "Guillermo Del Toro Ready To Unleash Frankenstein's Monster". MTV Movies Blog. Archived from the original on September 18, 2015. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  3. ^ Chris Hewitt (February 8, 2008). "Guillermo Del Toro Talks The Hobbit". Empire. Archived from the original on November 23, 2011. Retrieved February 8, 2008.
  4. ^ Fleming, Michael (September 3, 2008). "Guillermo Del Toro booked thru 2017". Variety. Archived from the original on October 10, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  5. ^ Max Evry (October 5, 2008). "Guillermo del Toro on The Hobbit and Frankenstein". ComingSoon.net. Archived from the original on October 5, 2008. Retrieved October 5, 2008.
  6. ^ "Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein is Not The Traditional Creation Story – Film". October 6, 2008. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  7. ^ Josh Horowitz (October 14, 2008). "Guillermo Del Toro Talks 'Hobbit' Casting, Creatures". MTV. Archived from the original on October 17, 2008. Retrieved October 15, 2008.
  8. ^ "Guillermo Del Toro Casts Doug Jones in Frankenstein". June 14, 2009. Archived from the original on June 16, 2009. Retrieved June 24, 2009.
  9. ^ "Guillermo del Toro Leaves "The Hobbit," So What's Next for the Director? – MTV". MTV. Archived from the original on November 19, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  10. ^ Frappier, Rob (June 24, 2009). "Doug Jones Talks Frankenstein, The Hobbit, & Hellboy 3". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on June 28, 2009. Retrieved June 24, 2009.
  11. ^ "Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein" Monster Was "Hauntingly Beautiful," Says Doug Jones". Collider. October 29, 2020. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  12. ^ Radish, Christina (July 27, 2010). "SDCC2010: Guillermo del Toro Interview DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK; Plus Info on THE HAUNTED MANSION, FRANKENSTEIN and HELLBOY". Collider. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  13. ^ Jagernauth, Kevin (July 6, 2013). "Guillermo Del Toro Wants Benedict Cumberbatch For 'Frankenstein', Charlie Kaufman Writing 'Slaughterhouse-Five'". IndieWire. Archived from the original on October 10, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  14. ^ Chitwood, Adam (July 17, 2014). "Guillermo del Toro Says Universal Wants Him to Do FRANKENSTEIN; Would Like to See the Universal Monster Universe Done as Period Movies". Collider. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  15. ^ Weintraub, Steve (July 25, 2020). "Guillermo del Toro and Scott Cooper on Antlers and Filmmaking | Comic-Con@Home 2020" (video). YouTube. Comic-Con International. Archived from the original on February 3, 2024. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  16. ^ Douglas, Edward (July 18, 2016). "Guillermo del Toro on Frankenstein, Pinocchio, The Strain & More at Fantasia Fest". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on July 29, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  17. ^ Shanfeld, Ethan (March 15, 2023). "Guillermo del Toro Eyes Andrew Garfield, Oscar Isaac, Mia Goth for 'Frankenstein' Movie at Netflix". Variety. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  18. ^ Weintraub, Steve; Jones, Tamera (October 9, 2023). "Watch Guillermo del Toro Talk 'Pacific Rim,' 'Frankenstein,' His 'Jabba the Hut' Movie, and More in Hour-Long Interview [Exclusive]". Collider. Archived from the original on October 18, 2023. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  19. ^ Kroll, Justin (January 7, 2024). "Jacob Elordi To Play Frankenstein Monster In Guillermo Del Toro's Adaptation For Netflix; 'All Quiet On The Western Front' Breakout Felix Kammerer & 'Sweet Tooth' Star Christian Convery Also In Ensemble". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 22, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  20. ^ a b Rubin, Rebecca (January 7, 2024). "Jacob Elordi to Play Frankenstein's Monster in Guillermo del Toro's Netflix Adaptation". Variety. Archived from the original on January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  21. ^ a b Kantorowicz, Asymina (January 24, 2024). "Guillermo Del Toro & The Cast Of The New 'Frankenstein' Film Stopped By A Toronto Restaurant". Narcity Media. Archived from the original on January 24, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  22. ^ Squires, John (April 15, 2024). "Ralph Ineson Has a "Pivotal Cameo" in Guillermo del Toro's 'Frankenstein'". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  23. ^ Gearan, Hannah (September 30, 2024). "Guillermo del Toro's Mysterious Frankenstein Movie Wraps Filming". Screen Rant. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  24. ^ Blackhall, Cara (September 9, 2024). "Edinburgh Royal Mile taken over by film crews for new 'Frankenstein movie'". Edinburgh Live. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  25. ^ Breznican, Anthony (November 21, 2024). "Meet the Movies of 2025: First Looks With Witherspoon, Pattinson, Hathaway, Gladstone, M3GAN, and More". Vanity Fair. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
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