Guillermo del Toro at the Toronto International Film Festival, where he premiered Frankenstein, filmed largely on Toronto soundstage with his long-time crew. Image: The Canadian Press
After calling a 1990s shoot “the worst of my life,” Guillermo del Toro found a creative haven in Toronto. The city’s warmth and professional dedication restored his faith in filmmaking, a connection that ultimately inspired him to shoot his long-gestating project, Frankenstein, there.
The Oscar-winning director premiered his adaptation of Mary Shelley’s 1818 Gothic classic in Toronto on Monday, where much of the film was meticulously shot.
“I threw my back out, so I was in a little bit of pain, but I was more in joy,” del Toro said in an interview on Tuesday. “The audience was so warm, and I loved the reception.”
Star Power and Stunning Sets
The film features Oscar Isaac as the tormented Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as the creature he creates. Much of the production relied on sprawling, custom-built sets crafted on Toronto soundstages, showcasing the city’s technical skill.
Although del Toro has filmed in Prague, Hungary, Spain, and other international locations, he made “a very, very careful” choice to shoot Frankenstein in Toronto. He trusted the city’s seasoned crews to bring his vision to life.
“I don’t think I’ve ever encountered craftsmanship I can trust more than in Canada,” he said. “These are people I’ve selected and worked with for decades. They always deliver excellence.”
A Bond Forged in Film
Del Toro’s connection to Toronto goes back to Mimic, his first Hollywood film, shot there in 1996. That production, he admits, was fraught with tension, especially clashes with producer Bob Weinstein. Yet the support of the crew kept him going.
“I was going through the worst shoot of my life and yet I was able to love the crew,” del Toro recalled. “I remember one day, after a shouting match with Bob, the crew gave me a round of applause as soon as he left.”
Despite the challenges, del Toro regards the film’s visuals as some of his best work. “The relationship with the crew was optimum,” he said.
Loyalty That Spans Decades
Many of the same team members from Mimic are back for Frankenstein. Tamara Deverell, his first assistant director on the 1996 project, continues to work alongside a core group of camera operators and crew who have stayed with him through Pacific Rim (2013) and the Oscar-winning The Shape of Water (2017).
In recognition of his decades-long collaboration with Toronto, del Toro received the key to the city in July. For him, the city is more than a backdrop—it’s a filmmaking home.
“I love this city and I’ve felt really appreciated here since 1996,” he said. “It’s a city that loves film. Canadians sometimes have a hard time praising Toronto. I don’t.”
Release and Anticipation
Frankenstein is set to hit select theatres on October 17, with a Netflix release following on November 7. Del Toro’s dedication to his Toronto crew ensures that audiences can expect a film that is both visually stunning and deeply rooted in collaborative artistry.
