Jacob Elordi's Grueling Transformation into Frankenstein's Monster
Actor Jacob Elordi, known for his roles in "Euphoria" and "Saltburn," underwent a dramatic transformation to portray Frankenstein's Monster in Guillermo del Toro's upcoming film, Frankenstein. The transformation required approximately 10 hours of makeup and prosthetics application each day.
The Ten-Hour Transformation
Guillermo del Toro revealed the extent of Elordi's commitment at the Los Angeles premiere of the movie on October 6th. He stated that Elordi spent around "10 hours every day" applying "about 42 pieces of makeup, prosthetics." Despite the lengthy process, del Toro was impressed by Elordi's dedication and positive attitude, highlighting his "grace and patience and love."
Del Toro's Metaphorical Guidance
To help Elordi cope with the demanding makeup process, del Toro drew a comparison to a priest preparing for a ceremony. He explained, "Look, it's like when a priest is getting dressed, there are many layers to the robes and the ceremonial guard. You have to think, this is your Ceremonial Guard. You're invoking the Creature." The director further praised the final result, calling Elordi's performance "heartbreaking and beautiful" and describing it as "a really naked performance - emotionally so close to innocence that it breaks your heart."
Co-Star Oscar Isaac's Perspective
Oscar Isaac, who plays Victor Frankenstein in the film, also commented on Elordi's professionalism. He noted, "He was so effortless. He never complained. He was in 10 hours of makeup every day." Isaac added that he was particularly impressed by Elordi's "beautiful and vulnerable and open" performance, despite the demanding physical transformation.
Elordi's Preparation and Influences
Beyond makeup, Elordi immersed himself in the role by studying Japanese butoh dance and delving into the Book of Job. Initially hesitant to revisit previous portrayals of Frankenstein's Monster, Elordi eventually watched other "Frankenstein" films at del Toro's urging. The film, which del Toro sees as "a story like Pinocchio, about a creature that is created by his father and thrown into the world," is scheduled for a limited theatrical release on October 17th before debuting on Netflix the following month. Elordi was cast in the role after Andrew Garfield withdrew due to scheduling conflicts. Del Toro has repeatedly stated that Elordi was the "perfect actor" for the role.
