Guillermo Del Toro has shared that he wants to make a Phantom Of The Opera film.
The renowned director recently saw his adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic novel Frankenstein hit cinemas to widespread critical acclaim. Now, he has confirmed that he has his sights set on another classic tale: Phantom Of The Opera.
Speaking on a red carpet recently, the filmmaker opened up about what is next in the pipeline for him. He told Inverse that he would be intrigued to take on the story and reimagine it in his own way.
“It’s such a classic tale, but I would do it differently,” he said. “I have a couple of ideas but for now, I’m going into crime and stop motion.”
The story follows a disfigured musical genius who resides underneath the Paris Opera House, and finds himself infatuated with a young soprano. He soon finds himself competing with her childhood friend to win her affection.
There have already been various film adaptations of the classic tale, including a Joel Schumacher-directed movie that arrived in 2004 and starred Gerard Butler.
@inverse #GuillermodelToro is about to make dreams come true for theater kids around the world. Video: Inverse/@htranbui
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In Del Toro’s red carpet comments, he made a nod to a venture into stop motion. This refers to his animated project that is already in development and being made for Netflix: an adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel Buried Giant.
As for the “crime” genre he alludes to, this is likely referring to the forthcoming project called Fury, which he teased last month and confirmed will star Oscar Isaac (via Deadline). More details about both releases are set to be shared at a later date.
If Del Toro were to go ahead with his own version of Phantom Of The Opera, it would mark an extension to the number of gothic fantasy films he already has under his belt, including Pinocchio and Pan’s Labyrinth.
As for his new adaptation of Frankenstein, the film was given a 13-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival, and has received high praise from critics.
It marked his first feature film since 2022’s Pinocchio, and his 13th directorial feature overall. He won the Academy Award for Best Director for 2017’s The Shape Of Water, which also picked up Best Picture.
Oscar Isaac stars in the titular role of the new version of the 1818 Mary Shelley novel, while Jacob Elordi plays The Monster. The cast will also includes Mia Goth (Pearl) Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained), and All Quiet On The Western Front’s Felix Kammerer.
In a four-star review from NME, the film was praised as “a match made in goth heaven”, and “achingly gorgeous”.
“On a technical level, Frankenstein is utterly stunning. Del Toro conjures eerie moments that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled, whether it’s a pair of arms bursting up from beneath the ice or Victor’s science experiment suddenly coming to life, giving the film its best jump scare,” it read.
“Tamara Deverell’s meticulously detailed production design looks gorgeous throughout, as are the costumes by Kate Hawley – both are certain to receive awards attention come Oscars season.”
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