Jacob Elordi Details Grueling Frankenstein Transformation Process

The path to becoming a movie monster is rarely glamorous. For Jacob Elordi, transforming into the iconic Creature in Guillermo del Toro’s highly anticipated “Frankenstein” required a level of physical and mental dedication that blurred the lines between day and night, demanding a total surrender of self for the sake of art. The actor’s Jacob Elordi Frankenstein transformation was an arduous process, recently detailed as one of the most grueling physical challenges of his career.

How Did Jacob Elordi Physically Prepare for Frankenstein?

The physical metamorphosis was an all-consuming ordeal. To achieve the Creature’s distinct look, Elordi would enter the makeup trailer as early as 10 p.m. the night before a shoot. He would then remain there, awake, throughout the entire night while a team of artists applied the intricate prosthetics and makeup. This process was so time-consuming and intense that it completely dismantled his normal daily routine. In the quiet moments between applications, Elordi practiced the Creature’s unsteady, unnatural walk and gestures in his hotel room mirror, mentally and physically etching the character’s movement into his being. He described abandoning all conventional concepts of time, meals, and schedule, existing solely for the purpose of the transformation.

Elordi’s commitment extended beyond long hours in the chair. He adopted a unique mindset to cope with the demands, stating that he effectively stopped having a clock. His only indicator that it was time to begin the workday was the arrival of the transportation SUV to take him to set. This profound immersion meant he skipped traditional meals, no longer thinking in terms of “breakfast, lunch or dinner, or morning, afternoon, night.” His existence became a singular, continuous timeline dedicated entirely to the role, a testament to the extreme demands of bringing a classic literary monster to life under the vision of a perfectionist director like Guillermo del Toro.

Why Guillermo del Toro Cast Jacob Elordi as the Creature

The role of the Creature was not originally intended for Elordi. Director Guillermo del Toro revealed that the actor was the final cast member to join the project, stepping in after another performer dropped out just before shooting was set to begin. Del Toro’s casting choice was specific and intuitive; he selected Elordi primarily for his eyes, which the director described as being “full of humanity.” This was a crucial quality for a character that, while monstrous in appearance, is tragically emotional and intelligent, requiring an actor capable of conveying profound depth and vulnerability beneath layers of makeup. The film, also starring Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein and Mia Goth, promises a fresh take on Mary Shelley’s classic tale, exploring the undoing of both the egotistical scientist and his tragic creation.

The film “Frankenstein” is scheduled for a unique three-week theatrical release beginning October 17, before its global premiere on Netflix on November 7, allowing audiences to experience Elordi’s breathtaking and painful transformation on the big screen.

Must Know

What is Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein about?
The film is an adaptation of Mary Shelley’s novel. Its official logline describes it as the story of a brilliant but egotistical scientist who brings a creature to life in a monstrous experiment, leading to the tragic undoing of both the creator and his creation.

Who stars in the new Frankenstein movie?
The film stars Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein, Jacob Elordi as the Creature, and Mia Goth in a key supporting role. The cast also includes acclaimed actors Lars Mikkelsen, David Bradley, and Charles Dance.

How long did Jacob Elordi’s Frankenstein makeup take?
Jacob Elordi’s transformation into the Creature was an overnight process. He would enter the makeup trailer as early as 10 p.m. the night before filming and sit through the entire night to have the prosthetics and makeup applied.

When will Frankenstein 2025 be released?
The film will have a exclusive three-week theatrical window starting on October 17, 2025. It will then be available for streaming globally on Netflix starting November 7, 2025.

Why did Jacob Elordi skip meals for the role?
Elordi abandoned a normal eating schedule as part of his total immersion into the character. The grueling overnight makeup process and intense filming schedule led him to stop thinking in terms of conventional meal times, focusing solely on the role.