James Cameron Persuades Del Toro to Trim Frankenstein

Guillermo del Toro has never been one to shy away from seeking out the opinions of his closest confidants when it comes to his creative endeavours. At the Palm Springs International Film Festival, he let slip that his latest project, Frankenstein, underwent a significant change after a rather frank conversation with James Cameron. Del Toro, known for his collaborative spirit, explained his approach:

“What I do – because we don't test the movies – I show it to the 14, 16 most brilliant friends I know, and I'm blessed with good friendships,”

he remarked, listing off a veritable who’s who of the film world: Alfonso Cuarón, Alejandro Iñárritu, Jim Cameron, Rian Johnson, and Steven Spielberg among them.

Pressed on the nature of their feedback, del Toro described a process that’s anything but gentle.

“A lot of people see the movie, they tell me what they think, and we have the agreement to be brutal. Jim [Cameron] came in and he said, 'Look, there's this section' – which is not in the movie anymore – 'This is beautiful, but you gotta take it out. And it was about seven minutes… When someone gives me a note that is in that circle, I do it. I don't argue.”

The scene in question, by all accounts, was a personal favourite, yet del Toro didn’t hesitate to follow Cameron’s advice, trusting the judgement of someone he clearly holds in high regard.

Trusted Circles and Tough Choices

Frankenstein, a project that’s been simmering on del Toro’s back burner for nearly twenty years, finally found its way to the screen with Oscar Isaac stepping into the shoes of the infamous scientist. Jacob Elordi takes on the role of the Creature, the result of Isaac’s character’s rather unorthodox experiments. The film, as Elordi put it last year,

“definitely highlights the personal over the scientific. To me, it's a biography of Guillermo's.”

It’s a telling remark, hinting at the deeply personal nature of the adaptation and the weight of every creative decision, including the excision of that much-loved sequence.

Del Toro’s willingness to accept such a significant cut without protest speaks volumes about the trust he places in his inner circle. There’s a certain humility in his approach, a recognition that even the most cherished moments sometimes have to be sacrificed for the greater good of the story. It’s a rare thing in an industry not exactly known for its lack of ego.

Frankenstein’s Journey and Cameron’s Latest

While del Toro’s Frankenstein has finally made its way to audiences, Cameron himself has been busy with his own epic. Avatar: Fire and Ash, the latest instalment in his sprawling sci-fi saga, recently arrived in cinemas. This time, the Sully family faces off against a new adversary: the Mangkwan, led by the formidable Varang, who’s thrown her lot in with Jake’s old nemesis, Colonel Miles Quaritch. Cameron’s penchant for high-stakes drama and visual spectacle remains undimmed, even as he finds time to offer brutally honest feedback to his peers.

For those keen to see del Toro’s vision, Frankenstein is now available to stream. The film’s journey from passion project to finished product has been anything but straightforward, shaped in no small part by the candid counsel of friends unafraid to tell it like it is. If you’re after more recommendations, there’s no shortage of standout films to discover this year.