Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein: A 20-Year Journey to the Big Screen

Guillermo del Toro's lifelong fascination with Frankenstein mirrors that of the iconic Dr. Frankenstein himself. A recent Netflix preview showcased a first-look image of Oscar Isaac as the legendary scientist (pictured above), teasing del Toro's long-awaited adaptation.

Del Toro, in a video message, revealed his decades-long dedication to the project: "This film has been on my mind since I was a child—for 50 years," he stated, as reported by Variety. "I’ve been trying to make it for 20 to 25 years. In fact, some people may even think I am a little bit obsessed with Frankenstein." He humorously gestured to his extensive Frankenstein collection within his Bleak House.

Brief glimpses of footage were shown, featuring Isaac's Victor Frankenstein confronting Mia Goth's aristocratic character, and Jacob Elordi's portrayal of Frankenstein's monster—described as having "long black hair, stitched-up gray skin, and a glint of red in his eyes." This footage remains unavailable online.

Del Toro passionately articulated the film's personal significance: "Over the decades, the character has fused with my soul in a way that it has become an autobiography," he explained. "It doesn’t get more personal than this.”

The director's commitment to bringing this cinematic vision to life is undeniable, underscoring the lengthy and complex journey of Netflix's Frankenstein adaptation.