Behind the Scenes of Del Toro’s Latest Film ‘Frankenstein’

TORONTO, Canada — Producer J. Miles Dale discussed the making of Guillermo del Toro‘s highly anticipated film ‘Frankenstein’ in a recent episode of the Screen Talk podcast. Dale, who is known for his work on Oscar-winning films like ‘The Shape of Water,’ shared insights into the film’s production difficulties and design elements.

Scheduled to hit Netflix on November 7, ‘Frankenstein’ is already stirring buzz in Oscar discussions due to its exceptional craftsmanship. In the podcast episode, Dale described his experience working with del Toro over many years, highlighting their long-standing collaboration that includes successful projects like ‘Nightmare Alley’ and ‘Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.’

According to Dale, the inspiration for the film goes back to del Toro’s childhood when he first watched James Whale’s ‘Frankenstein’ and read Mary Shelley’s original novel. “We knew we had a hill to climb when we decided to move forward with this project,” said Dale, acknowledging the heavy expectations associated with adapting a classic.

While filming, the production faced challenges when lead actor Andrew Garfield became unavailable. Jacob Elordi stepped in, necessitating a change in several customized creature designs to fit Elordi’s physique. “The switch required our body sculptor to adjust 42 pieces that were already in place for Garfield,” Dale explained.

The team constructed authentic sets, including a 130-foot sailing ship and Frankenstein’s elaborate lab, which took four months to build. Dale emphasized del Toro’s commitment to craftsmanship, noting, “Del Toro is a craft junkie. Every detail matters.” The production aimed to minimize CGI, instead opting for handmade miniatures to convey a sense of realism.

In discussing the story’s unique angle, Dale shared, “Del Toro wanted to ensure the monster speaks and articulates his feelings. This perspective is what sets our interpretation apart.” The film promises to explore themes of empathy and the monster’s point of view, a reflection of del Toro’s belief that monsters are often misunderstood.

As excitement builds for the film’s release and potential awards recognition, Dale reiterated the significance of collaboration and artistry in bringing ‘Frankenstein’ to life.