Producer For Guillermo del Toro's Long-Awaited 'Frankenstein' Says Film Will Focus On Fatherhood

By Andrew Sanford | Film | July 17, 2023 |

By Andrew Sanford | Film | July 17, 2023 |

Guillermo del Toro is a fascinating director. He builds worlds like few others can. His creature creation is second to none. When you watch a Guillermo del Toro film, an undeniable vision is on display. I’ve marveled at his abilities for quite some time.

He was a perfect choice to take over Middle-Earth from Peter Jackson, delivering a dark, fantastical Hobbit film. Everyone remembers where they were when his adaptation of At The Mountains Of Madness sent shivers down their spines. His Justice League Dark will be revered as one of the strangest and most innovative superhero films ever.

Except it won’t because it didn’t get made; Neither did Del Toro’s Hobbit or his take on a team of mystical DC heroes. The director’s list of unrealized projects is so expansive that it has its own page on Wikipedia. Each loss feels more devastating than the last. However, one dream project of del Toro’s is finally seeing the light of day.

The director’s next film will be an adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. He’s talked about wanting to film an adaptation of the book since at least 2014. He once listed the 1931 adaptation as one of his favorite movies. According to one of the film’s producers, J. Miles Dale, that passion will come across in more ways than one.

In a recent interview with A.Frame, Dale said del Toro’s Frankenstein will emphasize being a father, completing what Dale described as the director’s “father trilogy.” Dale said in the interview, “In the last couple of films, certainly with Nightmare Alley and then with Pinocchio, we’ve dealt with the whole father-son relationship. And Guillermo and I both lost our fathers in the last few years. When you have a strong father figure, it’s a big part of our lives.”

I was already excited about this film for several reasons. For one, it’s del Toro doing something he’s clamored for for years. Two, with Oscar Isaac, Andrew Garfield, and Mia Goth, the cast is shaping up to be pretty remarkable. For me, the final bolt in the neck is the thematic element of fatherhood.

If you frequent these parts, you know I’m a father to beautiful twin boys. They have been the greatest blessing in my life. They also make it almost impossible for me to watch anything about having kids without taking it personally. I can’t relate to every scenario, but I’m an easy mark. The idea of del Toro poking and prodding my psyche for some more fatherhood-related emotion is as enticing as can be.

Guillermo del Toro hasn’t gotten to make everything he’s wanted (no matter how hard James Cameron tried to help). Still, when he does make something, every frame is filled with the director’s heart and soul. His films are personal and powerful, and we reap all the benefits.