For more than two decades, acclaimed director Guillermo del Toro has harbored a singular vision: to bring his own interpretation of "Frankenstein" to the big screen. That dream, fueled by a lifelong fascination with Mary Shelley's classic tale and a deep emotional connection to the misunderstood monster, has finally materialized—at a staggering cost of over $120 million and countless hours in the makeup chair. As Variety reports, del Toro’s "Frankenstein" is set to make its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on August 30, 2025, with the film already being touted as a potential Oscar contender.
Del Toro’s journey with "Frankenstein" is nothing short of a hero’s quest in itself. The director, known for his visually arresting and emotionally resonant films, has been contemplating this adaptation since his childhood in Mexico. According to Brent Lang, Variety’s executive editor, "What stands out to me the most is how much of a passion project this truly is. This is something [del Toro's] been thinking about making since he was a little boy growing up in Mexico. He first saw the 1931 James Whale movie and he said he responded to it on a deeply emotional level. Its themes and its message is something that’s really stayed with him as he’s gone on to make these movies. He said, 'Frankenstein is in all my movies. It’s in Blade II, it’s in Cronos, it’s in all of the things that I’ve done.' And then he finally gets to do this after trying to set this up at various studios. Through his first-look deal at Netflix, he’s been able to bring this to life and bring it to life on a really, really grand scale."
Bringing the creature to life was no easy feat. The production spanned arduous shoots in both Scotland and Toronto, with the cast and crew enduring long, grueling days. The journey was not just a logistical challenge, but a physical one as well—particularly for Jacob Elordi, who stars as Frankenstein’s monster. Ramin Setoodeh, Variety’s co-Editor in Chief, highlighted just how transformative Elordi’s performance is: "If I had gone to this movie cold without opening credits and watched the film not knowing who was in it, obviously I recognized Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein, the father of the monster, but I would not have known or guessed it was Jacob Elordi. That’s the kind of transformation that he undergoes in this movie."
Indeed, Elordi’s metamorphosis required many pounds of prosthetics and makeup, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in practical effects. The result, according to early buzz, is a Frankenstein’s monster that is both physically imposing and deeply human—a testament to both the actor’s dedication and del Toro’s vision.
Oscar Isaac, another heavyweight in the cast, takes on the role of Victor Frankenstein, the tormented scientist whose ambition sets the tragedy in motion. The dynamic between Elordi and Isaac is said to be electric, with both actors embracing the psychological complexity and emotional depth of their characters. The film’s shoot in Scotland and Toronto, often under less-than-ideal weather conditions, only added to the intensity of the performances, as both stars have noted in interviews.
Del Toro’s adaptation is not just a retelling of a familiar story. It’s a reimagining that draws on the director’s signature style—blending gothic horror with heartfelt empathy for outsiders and monsters. As Lang points out, "This is something [del Toro's] been thinking about making since he was a little boy." The director’s fascination with the monster’s plight—its loneliness, its yearning for acceptance—has found its way into many of his previous films, from "Cronos" to "The Shape of Water." But with "Frankenstein," del Toro finally brings his obsession full circle, crafting what many anticipate will be a definitive version for a new generation.
The film’s debut at the Venice Film Festival is strategic. Venice has become a launchpad for awards season hopefuls, and del Toro’s "Frankenstein" is no exception. The festival’s curators are positioning the creature feature as a serious Oscar contender, with critics and fans alike eager to see how del Toro’s vision stacks up against past adaptations—and whether the film can breathe new life into Shelley's 200-year-old narrative.
Meanwhile, the world of entertainment is buzzing with more than just monster tales. Elsewhere in Europe, Gamescom—the gaming industry’s answer to the Sun Valley conference—is underway in Cologne, Germany. As reported by Variety’s Jennifer Maas, the event is a hub for top executives, developers, and insiders to network, strike deals, and unveil new projects. "There’s going to be closed-door meetings. There’s going to be conversations between the top executives across gaming companies, developers talking about their new projects together, a lot of presentations, but more importantly, a lot of conversations happening. This is like the gaming industry’s Sun Valley. This is the innovators, this is the insiders, this is people talking and making deals," Maas explained.
Back in the U.S., the media landscape is also shifting. ESPN has just launched its standalone streaming app, marking a significant move in the ongoing evolution of sports broadcasting. According to Brian Steinberg, Variety’s senior TV editor, the app offers features like multi-view options—allowing users to watch four different feeds of a game simultaneously—and a personalized "SportsCenter" experience. "You can use your tablet to go side-by-side so you can get multi-views. They’re going to be able to show you four different feeds of a game," Steinberg noted. The app even includes a TikTok-style feed of highlights, with clips narrated by ESPN anchors and enhanced by AI. At the launch event, journalists were greeted by "App-E," an animated icon brought to life in classic Disney big-head costume style—a playful nod to the brand’s roots and a sign of its ambitions for the future.
As the entertainment world looks ahead to the Venice premiere of "Frankenstein," the anticipation is palpable. Del Toro’s long-gestating dream has finally become reality, promising not just spectacle but soul—a monster movie with a beating heart. For fans of classic horror, cinematic artistry, and stories that probe the depths of human emotion, August 30 can’t come soon enough.
With Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi at the helm, and del Toro’s unmistakable touch guiding the way, "Frankenstein" is poised to leave an indelible mark on both audiences and awards season. After more than 20 years, the wait is nearly over—and the monster, at last, is alive.
