| Role | The Creature (Frankenstein's monster) |
| Director | Guillermo del Toro |
| Daily Makeup Time | 11 hours |
| Replaced | Andrew Garfield (January 2024) |
| Actor Age | 29 years old (as of 2026) |
| Actor Height | 196 cm |
| Global Streaming Release | November 7, 2025 (Netflix) |
In January 2024, Australian actor Jacob Elordi officially joined the cast of Guillermo del Toro's highly anticipated Frankenstein project, stepping into the pivotal role of the Creature. Elordi was a late addition to the ensemble, replacing Andrew Garfield after scheduling conflicts arising from the SAG-AFTRA strikes forced Garfield to depart. At 196 cm tall, the 29-year-old actor brought a distinctly imposing and lanky physique to the character, prompting a rapid pivot behind the scenes. Del Toro had initially spent nine months meticulously designing the monster's look specifically for Garfield. Following the casting change, the director and his team had to completely scrap that initial concept and redesign the Creature's appearance in just nine weeks to suit Elordi's towering frame.
Taking on the role of the nameless creation required an immense physical commitment from Elordi. To transform into the iconic monster, he endured a grueling 11-hour daily makeup and prosthetics routine during production. Rather than leaning into standard jump-scare horror tropes, del Toro's vision for the 150-minute film frames the story as an emotional tragedy and a piece of Gothic science fiction. Elordi's portrayal focuses heavily on the sensitive yet violent nature of the Creature, exploring the deeply complex relationship between the monster and his creator, Victor Frankenstein, played by Oscar Isaac.
The world Elordi's Creature inhabits is a distinct reimagining of Mary Shelley's classic 1818 novel. Set in mid-19th century Europe against the backdrop of the Crimean War, the $120 million production introduces new narrative elements, such as Victor Frankenstein operating as a renegade scientist backed by a wealthy patron, portrayed by Christoph Waltz. Filming for the ambitious project took place from March to September 2024 across several international locations. The production utilized the atmospheric landscapes of Edinburgh and Glasgow in Scotland, alongside Toronto and Lake Nipissing in Ontario, Canada. To bring Frankenstein's laboratory to life, the production design team repurposed an abandoned water tower, outfitting it with a custom marble spiral staircase and a massive circular window designed to symbolize the "circle of life." Following its world premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 30, 2025, and a three-week limited theatrical run in the United States starting October 17, the film reached global audiences on Netflix on November 7, 2025.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Jacob Elordi replace Andrew Garfield in Frankenstein?
Andrew Garfield had to leave the project due to scheduling conflicts caused by the SAG-AFTRA strikes, leading to Elordi officially taking over the role in January 2024.
How did Jacob Elordi's height affect the film's production?
Because Elordi is 196 cm tall and has a lankier physique than Andrew Garfield, Guillermo del Toro had to scrap nine months of previous design work and redesign the Creature's look in just nine weeks.
Where was Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein filmed?
Principal photography took place between March and September 2024 in multiple locations, including Edinburgh and Glasgow in Scotland, as well as Toronto and Lake Nipissing in Ontario, Canada.
Is the 2025 Frankenstein movie a traditional horror film?
No, Guillermo del Toro describes the adaptation as an "emotional tragedy" and "Gothic science fiction" rather than a standard jump-scare horror movie, focusing on the complex bond between the creator and his sensitive but violent creation.
Photo: JoshPopov / CC BY 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons.png)
