Guillermo del Toro “prefers to die” rather than use generative AI

The three-time Oscar-winning Mexican filmmaker and adopted uncle of all Mexican film buffs, Guillermo del Torois promoting the launch of his most recent film project, Frankenstein.

The film, which is enjoying a limited release in select theaters in the United States and Mexico for three weeks (from October 23 to November 15 in our region), was made the “old way”, with practical effects, since del Toro has a clear position on the use of Artificial Intelligence, one of the most debated topics in the film industry and practically any industry.

Del Toro refused to make Frankenstein with a lot of visual effects and green screens, since what interests him is seeing real scenarios on screens. In an interview with Variety during the Venice Film Festival in August he said: “I don't want digital. I don't want artificial intelligence. I don't want simulation. I want traditional craftsmanship. I want people painting, building, hammering, plastering”.

And then, a few days ago, a video went viral in which del Toro finished a screening of Frankenstein in New York City, where he declared “To hell with AI!”amidst shouts and applause from the audience present.

Now, del Toro addresses the topic again, during an interview with NPR where he was asked for some comments on the use of generative AIto which the Mexican responded bluntly:

“My concern is not artificial intelligence, but natural stupidity. I think that's what drives most of the world's worst features”.

The screenwriter and director of Frankenstein commented on his adaptation of the eponymous character:

“I wanted him to have Victor's arrogance [Frankenstein]similar in some aspects to that of the technology greats. It's a little blind, create something without considering the consequencesand I think that we must stop and reflect on our future”.

“AI, particularly generative AI, does not interest me, nor will it ever interest me. I'm 61 years old and I hope I can continue not being interested in using it until I die.. The other day, someone wrote me an email asking: 'What is your position on AI?' My answer was very brief. I said: 'I'd rather die'.

This new adaptation of the 1818 literary classic by Mary Shelleystars Oscar Isaac y Jacob Elordi as Dr. Victor Frankenstein and Frankenstein's Monster, respectively, Mia Goth (X, Pearl), in dual roles as Elizabeth Lavenza, Victor's fiancée, and Claire Frankenstein, Victor's mother, Christoph Waltz (Inglorious Basterds) as Heinrich Harlander, Felix Kammerer (All Quiet on the Western Front) as William Frankenstein, Charles Dance (Game of Thrones), Ralph Ineson (The Witch, The First Omen) in an “essential” cameo as Professor Krempe.

Isaac's Dr. Victor Frankenstein, He is a brilliant but selfish scientist who brings a creature to life in a monstrous experiment. which ultimately leads to the ruin of both the creator and his tragic creation. Victor's relationship with his father is different from Shelley's.

The story will largely revolve around Shelley's classic tale, adapted countless times over the decades.

“Set in Eastern Europe in the 19th century, the story of Dr. Pretorious, who needs to locate Frankenstein's monster, believed to have died in a fire forty years earlier, in order to continue Dr. Frankenstein's experiments.”

Filming was carried out under the working title Prodigal Father. Del Toro is the screenwriter, director and producer.

Del Toro produces with Gary Ungar (The Strain, Pinocchio, Cabinet of Curiosities), J. Miles Dale, and Scott Stuber.

After its limited release in select theaters, it will be released in Netflix worldwide on November 7.