Jacob Elordi is breathing life into one of pop culture's most iconic monsters—quite literally. In the premiered glimpse of Guillermo del Toro's forthcoming Frankenstein film, the Euphoria sensation has undergone a remarkable transformation, embodying the very essence of the scientist's reanimated creation. Clad in tattered rags and boasting a disfigured visage, Elordi is scarcely recognizable as the being stitched together by the ingenious Dr. Viktor Frankenstein, portrayed with mesmerizing talent by Oscar Isaac.
According to del Toro, the 28-year-old actor emerged as the "epitome of perfection" for the role after Andrew Garfield had to step away due to scheduling conflicts. Speaking to Vanity Fair in an interview published on July 28th, the visionary filmmaker enthused, "Our bond is supernatural, transcending the need for words. Hardly anything needs to be said; he just gets it."
Echoing these sentiments, makeup artist Mike Hill could not have been more pleased with Elordi's assumption of the mantle. "It was his lanky frame and delicate wrists, that unique looseness, that captivated me," Hill revealed to the magazine. "I doubted anyone else could match this physicality." He further elaborated on Elordi, stating, "Despite his innocent demeanor, encased in his towering six-foot-five frame, there lies a formidable strength. He could wreak havoc should he choose to embody evil."
Yet, Elordi is acutely aware of the formidable legacy he inherits in this role. Past actors who have donned the mantle of Frankenstein's monster include legends like Boris Karloff, Christopher Lee, Robert De Niro, and Benedict Cumberbatch. "Initially, I thought, 'I'll steer clear. I want to carve my own path,'" he confessed about studying previous portrayals. "But then I inquired of Guillermo, 'Should I watch the other Frankensteins?' He responded, 'What do you mean, exactly?'"
Reasoning that he wished to avoid being influenced by his predecessors, Elordi recalled how del Toro reassured him that his performance would remain untainted. "He said, 'My friend, it's just a movie; it can't harm you in any way,'" Elordi added. "I went home and indulged in a marathon of them all."
Also featuring Mia Goth, Charles Dance, and Christoph Waltz, Frankenstein is set to haunt Netflix screens in November.
