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After more than two decades, a $120 million budget, and endless hours in prosthetics and makeup, Guillermo del Toro has finally realized his vision for "Frankenstein

" The long and deeply personal journey behind this adaptation is the focus of Variety’s latest cover story. Stars Jacob Elordi and Oscar Isaac open up about the demanding shoot that took them to locations in Scotland and Toronto. Variety’s executive editor Brent Lang and co-editor-in-chief Ramin Setoodeh joined forces to explore the making of this new take on Mary Shelley’s classic. It’s worth noting how some creative endeavors demand years of persistence, while others come together almost overnight. The sheer commitment involved in a project like this highlights the dedication needed to fully realize a director’s artistic ambition. Del Toro’s unwavering focus over such a long period speaks to how meaningful this story is to him personally. Del Toro’s "Frankenstein" is set to premiere on August 30 at the Venice Film Festival, where it’s already generating awards season buzz. Lang notes that what sets this project apart is how intimately connected it is to del Toro’s own history. He first dreamed of making it as a child in Mexico after seeing the 1931 James Whale film. That early experience left a lasting emotional impression, and the story’s themes have echoed through his entire career. He has often said that "Frankenstein" is woven into all his films, from "Blade II" to "Cronos." After multiple attempts to get it made at various studios, his first-look deal with Netflix finally provided the platform to bring it to life on an epic scale. Setoodeh highlights the dramatic physical transformation Jacob Elordi underwent to play the monster. Without prior knowledge, viewers would easily recognize Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein, but Elordi’s portrayal of the creature is so radically altered that he becomes nearly unrecognizable. The change is that complete. The episode also features Jennifer Maas, Variety’s senior business writer for TV and video games, reporting from Gamescom in Cologne, Germany. She describes the event as the gaming industry’s answer to Sun Valley, where top executives and developers gather for private meetings, presentations, and deal-making. This is where the meaningful discussions happen, Maas explains. It’s an exclusive, insider-focused event centered on innovation and collaboration. In the final segment, Brian Steinberg, senior TV editor, talks about ESPN’s promotional push for its new standalone streaming app, which launched on August 21. Steinberg shares his experience with App-E, an animated guide created by ESPN to help users navigate the service—even making a live appearance at a media event in a Disney-style costume. Beyond the playful touches, the technology on display was notable, including multi-view options that let viewers watch up to four game feeds at once on a tablet. There’s also a personalized "SportsCenter" feature that curates clips based on user preferences, narrated by ESPN anchors like Hannah Storm using a blend of their own voices and AI. Steinberg observes that this offers a clear look into the future of sports streaming. Listen to Daily Variety on iHeartPodcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.

Category:SHOW BIZ NEWS

MSG team 2025-08-21