Known for his expertise in Gothic storytelling, Guillermo del Toro is once again exploring themes of isolation and misunderstood figures in his upcoming projects. Following his recent film Frankenstein, del Toro has expressed interest in developing a fresh adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera, aiming to approach the classic tale from a different perspective. His ongoing work continues to emphasize the unique angle he brings to Guillermo del Toro adaptations.
Del Toro’s Vision for The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera, originally a 1910 Gothic novel by Gaston Leroux, centers on a masked figure haunting a Paris opera house and his obsession with a young singer named Christine. The story has been adapted several times, most notably as Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 1986 musical. Del Toro, however, intends to reinvent the narrative. When asked about his plans, he shared,
“The Phantom of the Opera, because it’s such a classic tale, but I would do it differently,”
and added,
“I have a couple of ideas but for now, I’m going into crime and stop-motion.”
This suggests his next projects may include crime thrillers and animated works, alongside this fresh Phantom adaptation.
Current and Upcoming Projects from Del Toro
Del Toro has revealed he is actively writing a new thriller titled Fury, featuring Oscar Isaac, who starred in Frankenstein. He described the project as “very cruel, very violent,” likening it to a dark twist on social drama with deadly consequences:
“Like My Dinner with Andre but [with] killing people after each course.”
Besides Fury, del Toro is also collaborating on an animated adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Buried Giant, marking his second stop-motion project following 2022’s Pinocchio, both produced in partnership with Netflix.
Frankenstein’s Ongoing Availability and Del Toro’s Creative Trajectory
Frankenstein, which continues to showcase del Toro’s gothic style and fascination with outsider characters, is currently in theaters and will be available for streaming on Netflix starting November 7. Given del Toro’s expanding slate—ranging from Gothic-inspired adaptations to animated features and violent thrillers—his future projects are expected to further redefine genre boundaries and offer fresh interpretations of familiar stories.
