Andrew Garfield Exits ‘Frankenstein’: Jacob Elordi Steps In With Just 9 Weeks to Prepare!

In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Guillermo del Toro shared insights into the challenges faced while casting for his new “Frankenstein” film. After Andrew Garfield had to withdraw from playing the iconic monster due to overlapping schedules, del Toro had only nine weeks to prepare Jacob Elordi for the role. This sudden change came after del Toro and his trusted makeup artist Mike Hill, known for their work on “The Shape of Water” and “Nightmare Alley,” had already dedicated nine months to developing Garfield’s portrayal of the monster.

Del Toro expressed that transitioning from Garfield to Elordi was seamless despite the time constraints. “Jacob stepping into this role felt incredibly right. Our communication is almost telepathic with hardly any need for words, he just gets it,” del Toro remarked on the recasting process. “The pressure was immense with only nine weeks to nail the character’s look.”

Mike Hill commented positively on the decision to cast Elordi, noting that his unique physical attributes perfectly suited the character. Hill was particularly struck by Elordi’s lanky build and subtle expressions which reminded him of the legendary Boris Karloff. “His towering presence combined with an underlying innocence makes him ideal for the role, capable of both vulnerability and intensity,” Hill told Vanity Fair.

Andrew Garfield also shared his thoughts with Deadline, mentioning his initial disappointment over having to leave the project. However, meeting Elordi reassured him that the role was in good hands. “It felt almost meant to be, passing this opportunity to Jacob, who embraced the role spectacularly,” Garfield reflected.

The highly anticipated “Frankenstein” is set to debut at the Venice Film Festival, competing for the prestigious Golden Lion award. Following its festival run, the film will have a limited release in theaters before becoming available on Netflix in November. Del Toro has previously clinched the top prize at Venice with “The Shape of Water.”