Frankenstein on Netflix: This is the Oscar-nominated actor who should have played the creature instead of Jacob Elordi – and left the film at the last minute – Film News

Number 1 among the most watched films in the Netflix catalog in Brazil and around the world, Frankenstein is one of the most anticipated – and now acclaimed – additions to the streaming service in 2025. The film retells the work of Mary Shelley from the eyes of Guillermo del Toro, filmmaker responsible for Pan’s Labyrinth, The Shape of Water and Scarlet Hill.

In this version, the horror classic gets a new approach. The film follows the brilliant, but egocentric scientist Victor Frankenstein who decides to venture into audacious experiments and create a living creature from scratch.

‘My mind was spinning’: Jacob Elordi’s painful weight loss was a ‘blessing’ for Frankenstein

What these attempts and studies unleash is a tragedy for both the creator and his monstrous creation. Playing God led Frankenstein to realize his greatest scientific ambitions, but placed him in the crosshairs of his own creature’s anger, who now seeks revenge after finding himself discarded by his professor.

The project has received divisive reactions regarding its content, but there is a consensus that it is one of the most interesting films of the year. In addition to the direction, the cast has also caught the public’s attention, especially Jacob Elordi, who plays the monster. What many don’t know, however, is that the role was in the hands of another actor: Andrew Garfield.

Why did Andrew Garfield leave Frankenstein?

The Oscar-nominated actor for Tick, Tick… Boom! was guaranteed in the project. Although many may think that there was some kind of disagreement, the truth is that the big villain of the story was the chance of the moment. The writers’ strike paralyzed several productions and, after its conclusion, many artists had to readjust their schedules to resume work. According to del Toro, during the nine weeks before production began, a new actor had to be found in a hurry.

Jacob Elordi emerged in the midst of this search. “When I’m casting, I always look into the actors’ eyes. I ask myself what emotions they are capable of conveying. Through Oscar’s (Isaac) eyes, I knew immediately that he could play a serious, crazy, brilliant character. Through Jacob’s (Elordi) eyes, I knew he could play innocence,” the director told Empire.

“Everything you expect and more”: Netflix’s Frankenstein has Mia Goth in an “almost unprecedented” character (Interview)

With Garfield’s departure, the Euphoria actor was presented with a unique opportunity to work with Guillermo on a project that was already on his radar. “Modesty aside, when this movie was announced, I said to my agent, ‘That’s a movie I would love to do.’ Some time passed, and then my agent called me and said, ‘A script has arrived for you. It’s by Guillermo del Toro.’ And I said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding.’ I thought I was going to play a tree or a horse or something. And then I asked: ‘Is it for the Creature?’ And it was,” Jacob said.

Frankenstein remains prominent in the Netflix catalog.