MOVIE NEWS – With the release of Frankenstein — his next feature and second collaboration with Netflix following Pinocchio — just around the corner, Guillermo del Toro is already thinking beyond it. Although the filmmaker, known for richly imaginative works like The Shape of Water, has long thrived in the fantasy and genre realm, he now admits he’s ready to step outside that world. The Oscar-winning director revealed that he feels it’s time for a fresh start and a significant change of direction.

While promoting his adaptation of Mary Shelley’s groundbreaking sci-fi horror novel, Del Toro spoke with Empire magazine about what comes next once the Netflix film is completed. Reflecting on his current mindset, the 60-year-old director admitted that his creative outlook is evolving with age: “I’m 60 now. My questions have shifted — I’m no longer focused on who I am as a father or a son, but on the weight of regret. I’ve entered the decade of regret.” He confirmed that he’s developing another stop-motion feature, but also discussed a future project titled Fury, which he described as “intensely brutal and deeply violent.” Based on his comments, it’s clear he’s preparing for a sharp creative turn.

“If you trace the path from Cronos to The Devil’s Backbone, from Pan’s Labyrinth to Crimson Peak, and now to this, you can see the evolution of a particular visual style, rhythm, and emotional tone. But I feel like I’ve reached a point where I need to break that cycle. Right now, my strongest desire is to challenge myself and create something entirely different.”

During the interview, Del Toro also confirmed that his long-dreamed-of adaptation of H. P. Lovecraft’s At the Mountains of Madness remains unlikely to ever happen. The filmmaker explained that the project is simply too ambitious for current studio systems: “The one project that I think will remain on my bucket list is [At the Mountains of Madness]. It’s too massive, too wild, too extreme in its rating. And to be completely honest, I’m not sure I still want to pursue it after this.”

One of the Last Modern Filmmakers With a Signature Style — Now Looking to Reinvent Himself

When you think of Guillermo del Toro, several things might come to mind: shadowy worlds filled with monstrous creatures, or his relentless exploration of humanity’s darker sides. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a rare talent for constructing fantastical universes while grounding them in deeply human stories. His films are immediately recognizable for their distinct visual language and emotional resonance, which is precisely what sets his work apart from others in the industry.

That identity won’t disappear, even if his next project diverges from what audiences expect. Del Toro says the film will be “very different”, but fans need not worry — even his stop-motion adaptation of Pinocchio contained layers of darkness beneath its surface. And while he’s exploring new creative territory, he admits that the pull of his roots may never fully fade: “You never know. The day after tomorrow, I might decide I want to tackle Jekyll & Hyde — or something completely unexpected.”

Source: MovieWeb