Frankenstein Recasting Andrew Garfield With Jacob Elordi Bothered Me At First. Now That I’ve Seen It, I Have Thoughts

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As a big fan of Guillermo del Toro, I was thrilled when he announced he was finally making his own version of Frankenstein – a project he’s discussed for almost two decades. He’s known for his sensitive and empathetic portrayal of monsters in films like Pan’s Labyrinth and The Shape of Water. While I was incredibly excited about this movie, one production change dampened my enthusiasm. Now that I’ve seen it – it’s available on Netflix starting November 7th – I want to share my thoughts.

Netflix picked up Guillermo del Toro’s take on Frankenstein in 2023, adding it to their lineup of upcoming horror films. However, just before filming began in early 2024, Andrew Garfield left the project due to scheduling issues, and Jacob Elordi replaced him. I want to share my thoughts on this cast change, especially after now having seen the finished movie.

No Shade To Jacob Elordi, I Just Really Wanted To See Andrew Garfield In Frankenstein When He Was Cast

I definitely recognize Jacob Elordi’s talent – he was particularly captivating in Euphoria, and I enjoyed his portrayal of Elvis in Priscilla. However, Andrew Garfield is a consistently outstanding actor, and one of my all-time favorites. I was really impressed by his depth as Spider-Man in The Amazing Spider-Man, and I’ve been a fan of his work ever since, especially his performance in Tick, Tick… Boom! from 2021.

The actor hadn’t previously starred in a horror film, so the opportunity for him to play the Creature in Frankenstein – a book I greatly admire – and to work with such a respected horror director felt incredibly surreal, almost like a dream come true. Many others felt the same way. It seemed like a perfect role for him, and I was genuinely disappointed when he was recast.

Now That I’ve Seen Frankenstein, I Wouldn’t Want Anyone Else In The Role

I saw Frankenstein in theaters earlier this week, and even though it was hard to find a showing, I know it’s going to be one of my favorite movies this year. Watching it felt like rediscovering the novel I first read in high school – Mary Shelley’s classic is a haunting story that really makes you think about what it means to be human.

I especially loved Frankenstein because of Jacob Elordi’s performance. At 6’5” with striking, yet gentle features, he was exactly the type of creature I’d imagined, and a perfect fit for Guillermo del Toro’s vision. Elordi, often called “hot Frankenstein,” brought a beautiful vulnerability and tenderness to the role, but also convincingly portrayed moments of frightening power. His performance really took me on an emotional journey, and by the end of the movie, I was almost in tears.

If you were also unhappy with the casting changes, please give the new version of Frankenstein a chance – it arrives on Netflix November 7th. I personally believe Jacob Elordi was a great choice for the role, even though I’m still curious how Andrew Garfield would have done.

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2025-11-01 15:08