Guillermo del Toro, known for his distinctive adaptations, continues building on his legacy with his recent film Frankenstein now playing in theaters. As fans celebrate the release, which has garnered an 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, many are eager to learn about his next project. Del Toro has expressed a strong interest in creating his own version of Gaston Leroux’s classic 1909 novel, The Phantom of the Opera, signaling potential new directions for his work in adaptations.
Del Toro’s Plans for a Different Phantom of the Opera
In an interview with Inverse, Guillermo del Toro revealed that although he has multiple projects underway, one story he longs to explore is The Phantom of the Opera. He emphasized that his treatment of this tale would differ greatly from previous versions, similar to how he approached the Creature in Frankenstein. Del Toro described the Phantom as a “misunderstood villain,” indicating a fresh perspective on the character’s complexity.
The Phantom of the Opera, because it’s such a classic tale, but I would do it differently,
del Toro said when asked which misunderstood villain he would want to adapt next.
I have a couple of ideas, but for now, I’m going into crime and stop-motion.
– Guillermo del Toro, filmmaker
How Del Toro’s Phantom Would Diverge from the Musical Version
Del Toro’s interest in Leroux’s novel suggests a shift away from the well-known Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, which has long dominated popular culture. Unlike the romantic drama of Webber’s adaptation, the original novel is a gothic mystery with a darker and more tragic tone. Christine Daaé, the young musician, appears more naive and passive, while the Phantom acts as a madman consumed by obsession. This lends the story tension and complexity beyond the love triangle familiar to stage and screen audiences.
Del Toro’s work on Frankenstein demonstrated his skill at reinterpreting classic tales by humanizing monsters and restoring morally ambiguous qualities to characters. By portraying Victor Frankenstein as a tragic villain and giving the Creature depth and sympathy, he grounded the story emotionally. It is reasonable to anticipate a comparable approach to the Phantom, reshaping the character into a layered figure rather than a one-dimensional antagonist.
Del Toro’s Upcoming Projects and the Future of His Adaptations
Though the idea of a Guillermo del Toro adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera is intriguing, it remains uncertain when—or if—this project will come to fruition. Currently, del Toro is developing a stop-motion feature titled The Buried Giant and has expressed a desire to focus more on animated films rather than live-action. Despite acknowledging he has a few live-action projects left, the Phantom story’s place in his future slate is not yet confirmed.
Frankenstein is currently available in theaters and will be released on Netflix starting November 7, extending the reach of del Toro’s reinterpretation of Mary Shelley’s classic.
What Makes Del Toro’s Approach Significant
Del Toro’s renewed interest in iconic horror stories reaffirms his reputation for blending gothic atmosphere with emotional complexity. His adaptations have been praised for respecting original source material while adding modern sensibilities, making classic figures more accessible and compelling to today’s audiences. Should he bring this philosophy to Leroux’s tale, it could illuminate new facets of the Phantom’s tragic existence and the dark world he inhabits.
The filmmaker’s continuing evolution toward animation and stop-motion also hints at exciting stylistic innovations. By exploring crime and animated storytelling alongside his literary adaptations, del Toro may redefine the boundaries of genre filmmaking in the years ahead.
