Directors Bradley Cooper and Guillermo del Toro reunited for a Variety interview to share insights on their latest films, Frankenstein and Is This Thing On? Del Toro's long-awaited Netflix adaptation features Jacob Elordi as a sympathetic creature and Oscar Isaac as its troubled creator, while Cooper's project explores personal reinvention through stand-up comedy.
In a candid conversation at Variety's midtown Manhattan studio, Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro reflected on the decades-long journey to realize his vision for "Frankenstein." The $130 million Netflix production, greenlit after persistent efforts, casts Jacob Elordi as the creature—portrayed with more sympathy than its maker, Victor Frankenstein, played by Oscar Isaac. Del Toro explained that he tailored the role for Isaac, envisioning Victor as a brilliant man in his 30s emotionally stunted since his mother's childhood death. "I wanted Oscar to not belong completely to the family of his father; I wanted him to be frowned upon because his skin was darker, his hair was unruly, and he had this fiery temperament," del Toro said. The film draws from del Toro's personal turmoil, shifting his identification from the creature to the creator: "Now I identify with the creator. I’m the antagonist of my own story, as well as the protagonist."
Bradley Cooper, who previously starred in del Toro's 2021 film "Nightmare Alley," discussed his directorial follow-up, "Is This Thing On?," a story of a middle-aged man (Will Arnett) finding solace in stand-up after his marriage ends. Cooper rewrote the script specifically for Arnett and Laura Dern, emphasizing autobiographical elements. "Both movies are strangely autobiographical," del Toro noted, to which Cooper replied, "Don’t you think if we’re doing our jobs properly, everything’s autobiographical?"
The directors delved into the craft of filmmaking, stressing the importance of casting—echoing Warren Beatty's line, "Casting is plot," as Cooper put it. They highlighted practical effects in "Frankenstein," including giant sets and a massive ship on real motors, with 99% anchored in tangible elements. An on-set improvisation with Elordi's scleral contact lenses—one oversized iris reflecting light to signal anger—became a key storytelling tool. Cooper shared operating the camera himself to foster intimacy, delaying a full shot of Arnett's face for 20 minutes to heighten emotional impact.
Del Toro, who has written 42 screenplays and directed 13 films, including the Oscar-winning "The Shape of Water," underscored the unglamorous labor behind visionary work. Their collaboration on "Nightmare Alley" paved the way for these projects, allowing them to explore flawed humanity through their actors.
