Guillermo del Toro Tailored ‘Frankenstein‘ Lab &โ Creature Design Around Jacob Elordi’s Physique
Guillermo del Toro’s forthcoming Frankenstein adaptation wasn’t simply aโข faithful retelling of Mary Shelley’s novel; it was meticulously engineered โaroundโ the physicalโฃ presence โofโ its โขstar, Jacob Elordi. Theโ directorโ and production designer Tom Dale collaborated to โคbuild a sprawling, multi-layered Frankenstein’s labโ and craft a creature whose โฃscale and movements were intrinsicallyโค linked to Elordi’s six-foot-five frame.
The film, currently โคin post-production for Netflix, represents a significant undertaking for del โฃtoro,โข initially considered as aโค potential two-part cinematic eventโค before being โฃconsolidated into a two-and-a-half-hour โfeature. Thisโฃ commitment โคto a singular vision, coupled with a purposeful minimization of CGI,โ demanded โขpractical โฃeffects and setโฃ pieces that accommodated Elordi’s stature, influencing everything from the lab’s architecture to the creature’s articulation. The project’s success โคhinges on delivering a fresh outlook on the classic tale, prioritizing theโ monster’s point ofโค view-a key element del โฃToro emphasized to ensure the creature’s voice and physicality were central to the narrative.
Dale revealed theโฃ Frankenstein lab was constructed as a complex structure comprisingโฃ eight distinct โsets. “The giant exterior was built on the fairground, where we made the carnival for โ’Nightmare Alley,'” Dale stated. thes โsets included a foyer lobby, the evolving lab itself, visitor quarters, the tower’s summit, โคthe monster’s lair, and a water chute-described as a “notโข such aโข subtle metaphor forโ a birth canal.” The exterior, requiring four months of construction and three days of filming, served as the foundationalโ element for the tower. Handmade miniatures were โalso utilized to further minimize reliance on computer-generated imagery, โฃupholdingโฃ del Toro’s preference โคfor โtangible craftsmanship.
Del Toro’s dedication to Shelley’s original โคwork extended to giving the โคcreature a โvoice and agency. “He doesโ identify with monsters,”โข Dale โexplained. “He wanted to โขmake sure to get the creature’s point of view. That’s unique โฃaboutโค our film. He speaks and articulates.” This โfocus on the โcreature’s perspective, combined with Elordi’s imposing physical presence, promises a Frankenstein adaptation that redefines the iconic monster for a contemporary audience.
