Browsing around and an article caught my eye: 15 Years Later, Guillermo del Toro Finally Gives an Update on This “Bucket-List” Horror Movie, and it unlocked a memory for me; I was pretty sure I posted about the project he passionately wanted to do, 15 years ago. And then I felt old.
Guillermo del Toro is known for his fantastical films that lean heavily on horror roots. Not to mention, the monster designs in his movies are outstanding and imaginative. And he has an upcoming film on Netflix, entitled Frankenstein, starring Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein, Jacob Elordi as the Creature, and Mia Goth as Elizabeth Lavenza. The movie will first release in select theaters on October 17th, and then find its way to Netflix on November 7th.
When I said I remember what project he wanted to film, it wasn’t Frankenstein — although I’m really excited for it. I mean, look at that cast! It was, back in 2010, del Toro was eager to adapt a Lovecraft novella: At the Mountains of Madness. I enjoyed reading the story, and I was stoked by the prospect of del Toro bringing his style to it; that he would most definitely bring it justice. He even had James Cameron attached to produce. But then, nothing happend.
During a recent interview, del Toro spoke about what happened with At the Mountains of Madness.
“The one that’s on the bucket list that I think is gonna stay there is Mountains. It’s too big, too crazy, too R-rated, I guess. And to be completely candid, I don’t know that I want to do it after this.” -Guillermo del Toro
The director spoke more about his films and the feeling of them, the empathy that shows through the works. After introspection, he felt like he had to set Mountains aside.
As much as I would like to see a del Toro adaptation of At the Mountains of Madness, it’s better that del Toro decided to leave it, rather than go into it halfheartedly. And he’s a person who puts all of himself into his films.
Whoever decides to tackle it in the future just better have the same imaginative spirit. And film it in black and white, cowards.
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