Guillermo Del Toro Would 'Rather Die' Than Use Generative AI; But Sees Its Echo In Frankenstein

Guillermo

del Toro has never shied away from exploring the monstrous side of humanity - but when it comes to machines mimicking creativity, he draws a hard line. In a recent appearance on NPR’s Fresh Air, the Oscar-winning filmmaker declared that he would “rather die” than use generative AI in his work, revealing that his upcoming adaptation of Frankenstein was created entirely without the help of such technology.“AI, particularly generative AI — I am not interested, nor will I ever be interested,” said the Shape of Water and Pan’s Labyrinth director. “I’m 61, and I hope to be able to remain uninterested in using it at all until I croak.”

Despite his strong stance, del Toro admitted that the rise of AI inevitably informed his interpretation of Mary Shelley’s classic tale. The parallels between Victor Frankenstein’s blind ambition and the unchecked enthusiasm of Silicon Valley’s “tech bros” were impossible to ignore.Also Read: Priyanka Chopra's Husband Nick Jonas Is 'Best Dad', Invites 'Moana' Auli'i Cravalho For Orlando Concert“My concern is not artificial intelligence, but natural stupidity,” del Toro quipped. “That’s what drives most of the world’s worst teachers. But I did want Victor’s arrogance to mirror the same hubris we see in those creating something powerful without considering the consequences. We have to pause and think about where we’re heading.”Del Toro’s Frankenstein — which stars Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as the iconic creature — reimagines the familiar myth with the director’s trademark blend of gothic romance and empathy for the misunderstood. Netflix recently unveiled the first full image of Elordi’s monster, revealing a striking departure from the flat-headed, bolt-necked look popularized by Universal’s 1931 classic. Instead, del Toro’s creature bears a patchwork of elegant scars and cascading hair — a design as haunting as it is human.“Victor is as much an artist as he is a surgeon,” del Toro told Entertainment Weekly. “If he’s been dreaming about this creature all his life, he’s going to perfect it. It looks like a newborn — alabaster skin, with scars that are almost aerodynamic. They’re beautiful in their own way.”The film also features Felix Kammerer, Mia Goth, Charles Dance, and Christoph Waltz in key roles. True to del Toro’s cinematic philosophy, Frankenstein blends horror with heart, turning a centuries-old cautionary tale into a reflection on the modern pursuit of creation — and its discontents.Frankenstein opened in select theaters on October 17 and will stream globally on Netflix starting November 7.