Guillermo del Toro’s Long-Awaited Frankenstein Arrives in 2025

Guillermo del Toro’s long-awaited adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is finally becoming a reality, set to premiere on Netflix in 2025. The project, which has been a passion for del Toro for decades, boasts an impressive cast led by Oscar Isaac as Dr. Victor Frankenstein, Jacob Elordi as the Creature, and Mia Goth in a key role. The film will also feature Christoph Waltz as Dr. Pretorius, a character from The Bride of Frankenstein, suggesting that del Toro is weaving elements from multiple interpretations of the classic story into his vision.

Del Toro has described Frankenstein as deeply personal, stating, “Over the decades, the character has fused with my soul in a way that it has become autobiography.” His fascination with Shelley’s novel dates back to his childhood, and over the years, he has expressed different ideas on how to bring it to life, from a faithful adaptation to a broader adventure story. Now, with Netflix backing the project, it appears he is blending elements of the novel with inspirations from classic Universal monster films, creating a fresh but reverent take on the material.

Principal photography began in February 2024 in Toronto, with additional scenes shot in Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile, wrapping up in September. The film is currently in post-production, with its release scheduled for late 2025. The setting appears to be the 19th century rather than the 18th, marking a shift from Shelley’s original timeline, and signaling del Toro’s unique approach to the story.

The anticipation surrounding Frankenstein is part of a broader resurgence of classic monster tales, with other adaptations such as Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Bride! also slated for 2025. With a director as visionary as del Toro at the helm and a stellar cast bringing these iconic characters to life, this adaptation has the potential to become a landmark in modern horror cinema.

Fans of Gothic horror and del Toro’s signature storytelling eagerly await this reimagining of Frankenstein, hoping it will honor the novel’s themes while offering a bold, new perspective. Given del Toro’s track record of crafting visually stunning and emotionally rich narratives, Frankenstein is shaping up to be one of the most exciting cinematic events of the year.