Mike Hill, a sculptor and special effects artist, and filmmaker Guillermo del Toro share a collaborative journey that began with the iconic story of Frankenstein. Their initial connection occurred years ago at a convention in Burbank, where del Toro, impressed by Hill’s monstrous sculptures, managed to locate his contact information and commissioned a piece. This commission was a sculpture depicting Boris Karloff receiving makeup for the 1931 Frankenstein, which later found its place in del Toro’s Bleak House.
Following this, Hill designed creatures for several of del Toro’s films, including Nightmare Alley and The Shape of Water, as well as the Netflix anthology Cabinet of Curiosities. However, when rumors emerged about del Toro’s plans for a new Frankenstein film, Hill was not immediately contacted, causing him concern. Eventually, del Toro reached out and emphasized Hill’s importance to the project by stating that if Hill wasn’t on board, he wouldn’t proceed with the film.
With confirmation from del Toro, Hill began the design process for the creature. This iteration of Frankenstein has a unique visual identity, characterized as tall and lean, with scars forming geometric patterns across the body, reflecting the pseudoscientific methods of Victor Frankenstein. Hill faced challenges in creating a version of the creature that felt fresh amid its storied cinematic history.
The collaborative design process focused on what the creature should not embody, avoiding grotesque features. Eventually, the design evolved over the film, showcasing a transformation that aligns with the creature’s journey, symbolizing innocence giving way to abandonment and menace. Hill eventually spent significant time developing intricate prosthetics for actor Jacob Elordi, whose physicality complemented the character’s design.
This adaptation of Frankenstein confronted the classic narrative with a modern approach while maintaining the essence of Mary Shelley’s creation. Hill’s long-held desire to work on Frankenstein reflects a personal connection that underpins this collaboration.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/811694/netflix-frankenstein-creature-design-interview-mike-hill