The classic Gaston Leroux novel The Phantom of the Opera has been adapted countless times over the years – even Robert Englund played the Phantom back in the 1980s! – and we may someday see Guillermo del Toro put his own spin on the tale. Not anytime soon, he makes clear in a new conversation with Inverse, but it’s clearly something that’s on his mind.
“It’s such a classic tale, but I would do it differently,” Del Toro explained to the outlet when asked which classic monster he’d be most interested in bringing to the screen in the wake of Frankenstein. “I have a couple of ideas but for now, I’m going into crime and stop-motion.”
There was a time when Guillermo del Toro nearly linked up with Universal to reimagine their iconic Universal Monsters properties, but when that failed to come together, he instead made his own unofficial Creature from the Black Lagoon movie with The Shape of Water. He ended up winning several Oscars in the process, and next turned his attention to Frankenstein.
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, which may also find itself in the Academy Awards conversation next year, is now playing in select theaters with more locations being added soon.
Following its big-screen run, the film comes exclusively to Netflix on November 7.
Del Toro’s future plans, as he notes in the chat with Inverse, do indeed include a new stop-motion venture with Netflix, while he teases that he’s embarking on a new phase of his career.
“I feel like I need a change,” del Toro admits.
@inverse #GuillermodelToro is about to make dreams come true for theater kids around the world. Video: Inverse/@htranbui ♬ original sound – Inverse