Guillermo del Toro explains why he avoided CGI in ‘Frankenstein’ and cast Jacob Elordi as the monster

Del Toro describes his decades-in-the-making version of Mary Shelley’s 'Frankenstein' as his “Mount Everest” project.

In a recent interview with Variety, Guillermo del Toro spoke about his approach to creating Frankenstein, explaining his decision to focus on traditional craftsmanship instead of digital effects and his reasons for casting Jacob Elordi as the creature.

“I want real sets. I don’t want digital. I don’t want AI. I don’t want simulation. I want old fashioned craftsmanship. I want people painting, building, hammering, plastering. I go in and paint props myself. I supervise the construction of the sets. There is an operatic beauty when you build everything by hand,” del Toro said. He added that practical effects allow audiences to feel the work of the hundreds of artists who contribute to the production.

The director also revealed what convinced him that Elordi was right for the role after Andrew Garfield departed. “I saw ‘Saltburn,’ and I loved his innocence and openness. He plays the victim of a Tom Ripley-type of character, and I thought he played it with a lot of range. His character was also capable of being high class and cruel. Jacob’s eyes are so full of humanity. I cast him because of his eyes.”

Oscar Isaac plays Victor Frankenstein, with Charles Dance as his father and Christoph Waltz as his patron. Del Toro’s version of Mary Shelley’s novel has been in development for three decades and represents what he describes as his “Mount Everest” project.

The film will premiere at the Venice Film Festival on August 30 before receiving a limited theatrical release from Netflix on October 17. It will begin streaming worldwide on November 7.