Guillermo del Toro Explains Unique Choice for Casting Jacob Elordi in Frankenstein

Renowned filmmaker Guillermo del Toro recently opened up about why he chose Jacob Elordi, star in Saltburn, as his Frankenstein creature in an upcoming adaptation. Del Toro's decision might raise a few eyebrows, but he had some pretty compelling reasons. Originally, Andrew Garfield was set up as Frankenstein's creature, but scheduling conflicts got in his path. Enter Jacob Elordi, known and loved from Saltburn, stepping in as Victor Frankenstein's (played by Oscar Isaac) iconic creation.

Why Jacob Elordi was chosen

In a chat with Variety before his film's grand opening at Venice Film Festival on August 30, del Toro got real about why Elordi was his guy. Del Toro, whose work on The Shape Of Water won him an Oscar, made it clear: Elordi's role in Saltburn had a lot do with his choice. "I watched Saltburn and was taken in by Jacob's mix innocence and honesty," del Toro said. The role was no walk in park—it needed someone who could show a vast emotional range. "He captures a victim dealing with a Tom Ripley-type antagonist with an impressive range," del Toro added. The director went on: "Jacob's eyes have so much humanity. They're why I picked him." Those expressive eyes convinced del Toro that Elordi was perfect fit this emotionally charged role. But it wasn't just about Elordi's acting chops. Del Toro also had a unique vision in mind tor this iconic creature's look. Moving away from traditional portrayals marked by neat scars and stitches, del Toro wanted a "jigsaw puzzle" feel—something mesmerizing yet unsettling.

The aesthetic vision behind Frankenstein

"I didn't want him looking like a crash victim," del Toro said. "Victor, his creator, practices artistry as much as surgery. The cuts need a poetic purpose." This artistic vision draws from del Toro's deep love affair with Frankenstein lore—a love that's fueled countless sketches and concepts over years. The goal? To show a creature that feels fresh and innocent, much like a newborn. Del Toro aimed at crafting a character whose look tells as powerful a story as his journey does. Fans first caught a peek at Elordi in action when trailer dropped in July. The sneak peek showed Elordi with a greenish tint, his soulful eyes glinting beneath his robes. This novel spin has only fired up fans more, with many taking their admiration online.

Jacob Elordi's devotion

Elordi took this role seriously, diving deep in understanding this iconic character. He shared with Vanity Fair that he turned his apartment "into a creature shrine," drawing from sources like Bernie Wrightson's 1983 Frankenstein illustrations. Set your calendars! Frankenstein hits theaters in a limited release starting October 17 and then streams on Netflix come November 7. Whether you're a die-hard Frankenstein fan or new face in crowd, everyone's buzzing about del Toro's fresh take on this timeless tale brought vividly alive by Elordi's gripping performance. Del Toro's casting pick isn't just a nod at his creative genius but also underscores Elordi's knack at capturing intricate characters, setting up a film expected be both visually stunning and deeply moving.