Guillermo del Toro‘s upcoming Netflix film adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is set to debut later this year. This project owes its existence to the major failure of Tom Cruise’s reboot of The Mummy, which disrupted a planned franchise and opened the door for del Toro’s vision to finally come to life.
How Tom Cruise’s The Mummy Collapse Freed Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein Project
For years, Guillermo del Toro aspired to bring Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein to the screen, a dream that is now materializing with a Netflix release starring Jacob Elordi as the monster and Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein. Initially, Universal Pictures had slated the project for development starting in 2008, but focus shifted towards building a shared Dark Universe franchise around classic monsters.
The Dark Universe launched in 2017 with The Mummy, headlined by Tom Cruise. This reboot was intended to kickstart a series of interconnected films that would later include Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein monster, reportedly to be portrayed by Javier Bardem. However, The Mummy’s poor reception and underwhelming box office performance caused Universal to cancel the Dark Universe plans.
Following the cancellation, multiple projects tied to the Dark Universe, including del Toro’s Frankenstein adaptation, were shelved. This failure paradoxically created the opportunity for del Toro’s long-gestating Frankenstein film to be revived independently, eventually finding a home at Netflix. As a result, Cruise’s movie flop effectively cleared the path for one of the industry’s most anticipated monster movies in years.
The Artistic Stakes Behind Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein on Netflix
In recent years, Netflix confirmed del Toro’s Frankenstein project, reigniting conversations around casting and direction. At one stage, Andrew Garfield was linked to the role of the creature, though Jacob Elordi ultimately signed on. Del Toro has expressed a lifelong passion for adapting Shelley’s tale, emphasizing the intense pressure he feels to make it stand out in his filmography.
“I dream I can make the greatest Frankenstein ever, but then if you make it, you’ve made it. Whether it’s great or not, it’s done.”
—Guillermo del Toro, Director
This quote illustrates del Toro’s deep commitment and the high anxiety attached to this project—after more than 25 years of anticipation, he wants his Frankenstein to not just succeed, but to surpass his previous acclaimed works. His films like Pinocchio and The Shape of Water have set high benchmarks, receiving critical acclaim and prestigious awards, and Frankenstein is expected to meet or beat those standards.
Unlike traditional theatrical releases, Netflix’s platform allows del Toro’s Frankenstein to bypass box office scrutiny, potentially enabling a more focused artistic approach. This alternative distribution channel may give the film room to thrive on its creative merits without the typical commercial pressures that accompany blockbuster launches.
With a talented cast and del Toro’s distinct directorial style, many anticipate Frankenstein could become one of his crowning achievements in cinema. The film’s November 2025 release will be closely watched to see if it rises to the lofty expectations set by the director and his fans.
