Guillermo del Toro's 'Frankenstein': Timeline of a 20-Year Journey

Guillermo del Toro's lifelong fascination with Frankenstein rivals even the creature's creator. A recent Netflix preview showcased a first look at his highly anticipated adaptation, featuring Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein. While a trailer won't debut until summer, a still image was released (see above).

Del Toro, in a video message, confessed his decades-long dedication to this 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 then gestured to his extensive Frankenstein collection at his Bleak House.

Briefly shown footage (currently unavailable online) featured Isaac's Victor confronting Mia Goth's aristocratic character and Jacob Elordi's portrayal of the monster, described as having "long black hair, stitched-up gray skin, and a glint of red in his eyes."

Del Toro further emphasized the project's personal significance: “You see, 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 long-held ambition to bring Frankenstein to the screen is undeniable. The journey to this Netflix adaptation has been exceptionally lengthy, a testament to del Toro's unwavering commitment.