Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro is preparing to reinterpret one of the most enduring figures in classic monster lore. Known for his imaginative approach to legendary creatures, del Toro revealed plans to create a fresh version of The Phantom of the Opera, a story with origins dating back over a century. This new project follows the recent release of his long-developed film Frankenstein and continues his tradition of exploring Guillermo del Toro monsters with emotional depth and originality.
Del Toro’s Interest in Reimagining The Phantom of the Opera
In an interview with Inverse, del Toro expressed his desire to tackle the character of The Phantom of the Opera, emphasizing his intent to present the tale in a unique manner. When asked which misunderstood villain he would like to adapt next, he said,
The Phantom of the Opera, because it’s such a classic tale, but I would do it differently.
This signals a thoughtful and possibly transformative approach that diverges from previous adaptations.
The director also mentioned exploring other creative avenues:
a couple of ideas, but for now, I’m going into crime and stop-motion.
This includes involvement in a new stop-motion animation studio being developed at France’s esteemed Gobelins school in collaboration with Netflix and Ted Sarandos. This effort aims to foster innovative stop-motion projects under del Toro’s guidance.
The Enduring Legacy of The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera’s origins trace back to French author Pierre Lafitte, who released the story in serial form from 1909 to 1910 before it was published as a complete novel. Over the years, the story has been adapted numerous times, with the most renowned being Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 1986 musical. This theatrical production holds the record as Broadway’s longest-running play, concluding in April 2023, with plans for a revival in November 2025.
The musical’s success extended to film, with a 2004 feature directed by Joel Schumacher starring Gerard Butler as the Phantom, alongside Emmy Rossum as Christine and Patrick Wilson as Raoul. The story remains a staple within the canon of Universal Monsters, cemented by the iconic 1925 silent film featuring Lon Chaney and a 1943 remake starring Claude Rains.
Although Universal’s attempt to revive classic monsters via its Dark Universe franchise stalled after the failure of 2017’s The Mummy, The Phantom of the Opera continues to have a presence. An animatronic version of Lon Chaney’s Phantom has been included in the Dark Universe area of Universal Studios Epic Universe theme park.
Del Toro’s Current and Future Projects
Guillermo del Toro holds a strong relationship with Netflix, producing acclaimed titles such as Pinocchio and, more recently, Frankenstein — which saw a limited theatrical release before its scheduled Netflix debut on November 7, 2025. His upcoming film, Fury, is a crime drama starring Frankenstein lead Oscar Isaac. Furthermore, del Toro is advancing stop-motion work with the animated film Buried Giant.
Throughout his career, del Toro has pursued numerous passion projects that have yet to come to life, including Hellboy 3 and At the Mountains of Madness. However, with his expressed interest in The Phantom of the Opera and the partnership with Netflix, there is cautious optimism that this adaptation will move beyond his list of unmade films and into production.
Notable Performers from Past Phantom Adaptations
Past renditions of The Phantom of the Opera have featured a memorable cast, including Emmy Rossum as Christine and Gerard Butler as the titular Phantom in the 2004 film. Patrick Wilson portrayed Raoul, while Miranda Richardson played Madame Giry, contributing to the film’s vivid character landscape and helping to maintain the story’s cultural resonance across different media.
