Guillermo Del Toro - Future Projects

Future Projects

Del Toro is scheduled to direct four films for Universal; Frankenstein; a new adaptation of Slaughterhouse-Five; and Drood, a film based on a Dan Simmons novel published in February 2009. Drood was expected to be his first project after the two films set in Middle-earth. These projects would have filled up his schedule until 2017. Part of the Universal deal entails continuing research and development for the creatures in At the Mountains of Madness. In June 2009, Del Toro said he would only direct Frankenstein . Del Toro is also in the early stages of development of Saturn and the End of Days.

Del Toro said his Frankenstein would be a faithful "Miltonian tragedy", citing Frank Darabont's "near perfect" script, which evolved into Kenneth Branagh's Frankenstein. Del Toro said of his vision, "What I'm trying to do is take the myth and do something with it, but combining elements of Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein without making it just a classical myth of the monster. The best moments in my mind of Frankenstein, of the novel, are yet to be filmed The only guy that has ever nailed for me the emptiness, not the tragic, not the Miltonian dimension of the monster, but the emptiness is Christopher Lee in the Hammer films, where he really looks like something obscenely alive. Boris Karloff has the tragedy element nailed down but there are so many versions, including that great screenplay by Frank Darabont that was ultimately not really filmed." He has also cited Bernie Wrightson's illustrations as inspiration, and said the film will not focus on the monster's creation, but be an adventure film featuring the character. Del Toro said he would like Wrightson to design his version of the creature. The film will also focus on the religious aspects of Shelley's tale. In June 2009, del Toro stated that production on Frankenstein was not likely to begin for at least four years. Despite this, he has already cast frequent collaborator Doug Jones in the role of Frankenstein's monster. In an interview with Sci Fi Wire, Jones stated that he learned of the news the same day as everybody else; that "Guillermo did say to the press that he’s already cast me as his monster, but we’ve yet to talk about it. But in his mind, if that’s what he’s decided, then it's done ... It would be a dream come true." The film will be a period piece.

He has also expressed interest in video games after The Hobbit project, and hopes to be able to create a "Citizen Kane of games." In an MTV News interview in late July 2010, he further clarified that his video game ambitions were a reality, stating that: "One of the things we're announcing in the next few weeks is a big deal with a big company. We're going to do games that are going to be technically and narratively very interesting. It's not a development deal. We're going to do it. We're doing them. And we're going to announce it soon enough."

As of September 11, 2009 it has been made known that Guillermo del Toro has signed on with The Walt Disney Company to create a new label known as Disney Double Dare You. This new label will seek to create family friendly, all-ages animated projects that still manage to thrill and frighten. But as of 2012 it is not known if he's still involved with Disney as he currently moved on to DreamWorks Animation since 2010.

In June 2010 news came that del Toro would be writing and producing a brand new take on the story of Van Helsing. There is no word yet on if he will direct or not.

At Comic Con 2010, del Toro made the surprise announcement that he will co-write, produce, and likely direct a 3D remake of The Haunted Mansion for Disney. Del Toro says the film will stray away from the comedic nature of the 2003 film and will revolve around the Hatbox Ghost from the ride.

On 28 July 2010 it was announced that he would direct At the Mountains of Madness by H. P. Lovecraft for Universal Pictures, with James Cameron as producer. The movie was originally set up as a project at DreamWorks in 2004. Just a month earlier, del Toro said that the Lovecraft adaptation probably wouldn't happen at all; "It doesn't look like I can do it. It's very difficult for the studios to take the step of doing a period-set, R-rated, tentpole movie with a tough ending and no love story. Lovecraft has a readership as big as any best-seller, but it's tough to quantify because his works are in the public domain." Not long after, he was approached by Cameron who asked him if he still wanted to do the movie. When del Toro confirmed he did, Cameron said “Let’s do it.” Both of them put forward the idea for Universal, which then greenlit it. Earlier the same year, del Toro also asked S. T. Joshi if he wanted to be a consultant if and when the movie got into motion. It was rumored that del Toro was approached to direct the new Godzilla movie produced by Legendary Pictures, which he later denied.

Mountains of Madness was not greenlit by Universal Studios, so del Toro's next directorial effort will be the giant monster film Pacific Rim, based on a screenplay by Travis Beacham, which was mistakenly rumored to be the basis for Legendary Pictures' Godzilla reboot, which del Toro was rumored to have been was approached to direct but later denied. Del Toro described the monsters in the film to be "Huge". The film involves giant monsters traveling through a vortex in the pacific rim where they attack major cities and humans must battle them by using mecha suits called Jaegers. He comments,"This is my most un-modest film, this has everything. The scale is enormous and I'm just a big kid having fun."

Guillermo del Toro is also attached to produce the movie adaption of David Moody's novel Hater.

At the 2010 Spike Video Game Awards, del Toro announced that he is working on his first video game titled Insane, which was planned for release in 2013. On August 6, 2012, it was announced that the project was cancelled.

Del Toro also wants to direct a segment for an upcoming Heavy Metal sequel.

On 21 September 2010, del Toro announced that he wanted to direct new adaptations of the Stephen King novels It and Pet Sematary, but stated that he is very busy and unlikely to be able to make the films any time soon.

On 18 August 2011 it was announced del Toro is going to be developing a new film version of Beauty and the Beast, with Emma Watson in mind to star. Crazy, Stupid, Love producer Denise Di Novi confirmed the filmmaker’s involvement, and said that she would be co-producing the movie with him.