Guillermo del Toro Plots Bold Take on Phantom of the Opera

Guillermo del Toro, the creative mind behind films like Pan’s Labyrinth, Pacific Rim, and The Shape of Water, isn’t slowing down after wrapping up Frankenstein. In a recent chat, he let slip that he’s got his sights set on reimagining The Phantom of the Opera, a classic he’s keen to approach from a fresh angle.

The Phantom of the Opera, because it’s such a classic tale, but I would do it differently. I have a couple of ideas but for now, I’m going into crime and stop-motion.

Del Toro praised Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel, calling it a timeless story he’d like to tackle in his own way. While he’s got a few ideas brewing for the musical, he’s currently stepping away from gothic romance. Still, his fascination with misunderstood monsters is clear, and he’s looking to bring a more heartfelt spin to the iconic figure at the centre of the tale.

Del Toro’s Vision for a Classic Story

The Phantom of the Opera remains one of Gaston Leroux’s most enduring works. The story follows Erik, a gifted but disfigured musician living beneath the Paris Opera House. His obsession with the young singer Christine Daaé leads to heartbreak and tragedy as the plot unfolds.

Most punters know the story from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 1986 stage musical or the 1925 silent film, famous for Lon Chaney’s haunting look. More recently, Joel Schumacher’s 2004 adaptation with Gerard Butler brought the tale to a new generation. Now, del Toro is set to put his own stamp on the story, likely focusing on the emotional depth of Erik, painting him as a lonely soul shaped by rejection rather than just a villain.

Here’s a quick look at Frankenstein:

Gothic Style and Emotional Storytelling

Visually, del Toro seems a natural fit for this kind of story. His gothic flair, seen in Crimson Peak and Frankenstein, suggests he’ll bring a moody, atmospheric touch to the opera house setting. Under his direction, the world of Erik could feel both eerie and alive, adding layers of emotion to the narrative.

Fans who appreciated the way he handled monsters in his previous films can expect a similar approach here. Del Toro has a knack for giving his creatures depth and humanity, steering away from simple cruelty and instead exploring what makes them tick.

Juggling Crime, Animation, and More

While excitement builds for his take on The Phantom of the Opera, del Toro’s plate is far from empty. He’s currently working on a crime thriller called Fury, which he describes as violent, unsettling, and reminiscent of the tone in Nightmare Alley.

I’m writing it right now, and it’s called Fury, and essentially it’s going back to [the] sort of thriller aspects of Nightmare Alley – very cruel, very violent. Like My Dinner with Andre but [with] killing people after each course.

On top of that, he’s diving back into stop-motion animation, developing an adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Buried Giant for Netflix. After his Oscar win for Pinocchio, it’s no surprise he’s keen to return to the genre. With crime, animation, and gothic classics all in the mix, del Toro’s upcoming projects are shaping up to be as varied as they are ambitious.

What are your thoughts on del Toro’s plans for The Phantom of the Opera?

Frankenstein is now streaming on Netflix.