Over ten years ago, acclaimed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro announced plans to adapt H.P. Lovecraft’s horror novella At the Mountains of Madness for Universal Pictures, with James Cameron attached as producer. Despite high hopes from fans, the project remained stuck in development limbo, with no progress until recently when del Toro finally addressed the film’s uncertain future, revealing that the Guillermo del Toro horror project may never be made.
In an interview focusing on his upcoming Frankenstein adaptation, del Toro described At the Mountains of Madness as one of the few remaining films on his personal bucket list, alongside his Netflix feature and the previously completed animated film Pinocchio. However, he expressed strong doubts about ever bringing the Lovecraft story to screen, stating,
“The one that’s on the bucket list that I think is gonna stay there is Mountains. It’s too big, too crazy, too R-rated, I guess. And to be completely candid, I don’t know that I want to do it after this.” – Guillermo del Toro, filmmaker
Del Toro reflected on how his artistic evolution influenced this decision. He explained that completing his new film would mark the end of a creative cycle traversing his career, spanning from Cronos through The Devil’s Backbone, Pan’s Labyrinth, Crimson Peak, and now this latest project. From this perspective, he feels a need to move beyond this established style and explore fresh directions in his work. As he put it,
This film closes the cycle. If you look at the lineage, from Cronos to The Devil’s Backbone, to Pan’s Labyrinth, to Crimson Peak, to [Frankenstein], this is an evolution of a certain type of aesthetic, and a certain type of rhythm, and a certain type of empathy. I feel like I need a change. – Guillermo del Toro, filmmaker
Guillermo del Toro’s New Frankenstein Adaptation Set for Release
Del Toro’s next major project is an adaptation of Mary Shelley’s renowned 1818 novel Frankenstein, scheduled for global release on Netflix on November 7, 2025. The film premiered earlier at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 30, 2025, followed by a limited theatrical release beginning October 17, 2025. This gothic story stars Oscar Isaac in the role of Victor Frankenstein, the scientist behind the famous monster, with Jacob Elordi portraying the creature itself.
The cast also includes Felix Kammerer as William, Victor’s younger brother; Mia Goth as William’s fiancée, who is also the object of Victor’s feelings; and supporting performances from Lars Mikkelsen, David Bradley, Lauren Collins, Charles Dance, and Christoph Waltz. This ensemble of actors further emphasizes del Toro’s ongoing willingness to explore dark and complex narratives.
Inside the New Film’s Principal Cast
Oscar Isaac leads as Dr. Victor Frankenstein, carrying the narrative as the ambitious scientist whose experiments spark profound consequences. Jacob Elordi takes on the challenging role of the monster, bringing depth to the iconic creature. Felix Kammerer and Mia Goth portray key familial and romantic relationships that deepen the story’s emotional stakes. The supporting roles filled by well-known actors such as Lauren Collins, Charles Dance, and Christoph Waltz enrich the film’s intricate character dynamics.
As del Toro moves forward with this new chapter, his reflections on his artistic journey and the shelving of At the Mountains of Madness demonstrate both frustration and a readiness for change. Fans of Guillermo del Toro horror creations will watch closely as he closes one chapter while opening another, with the upcoming release of Frankenstein set to continue his legacy of dark, imaginative storytelling.
