- Oscar-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro issued a stark ultimatum against generative AI, stating, “I’d rather die” than use it in his work.
- He draws a direct parallel between the blind ambition of Victor Frankenstein and modern “tech bros,” accusing them of creating without considering the consequences.
- The comments were made while discussing his upcoming Netflix film Frankenstein, a project he describes as a lifelong passion.
- Del Toro reveals his deep personal connection to the story, calling the iconic creature his “personal avatar and my personal messiah” since childhood.
Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro has delivered a blistering critique of generative artificial intelligence, making his stance unequivocally clear with a three-word declaration: “I’d rather die.” The celebrated filmmaker, known for his masterful creature features and dark fantasies, shared his forceful opinion during a recent interview while promoting his deeply personal new adaptation of Frankenstein.
A Warning Against “Natural Stupidity”
Del Toro didn’t mince words when asked about his position on AI’s burgeoning role in the creative arts. “My concern is not artificial intelligence, but natural stupidity,” he stated, arguing that the true danger lies in human recklessness. He directly compared the thoughtless innovation of some tech developers to the central theme of Mary Shelley’s classic novel.
The Original “Tech Bro”
According to del Toro, the character of Victor Frankenstein is the prototype of a modern “tech bro.” “He’s kind of blind, creating something without considering the consequences,” the director explained. “I think we have to take a pause and consider where we’re going.” This thematic connection is a cornerstone of his new film, which reimagines the 1818 Gothic tale for a contemporary audience grappling with the ethics of creation. For del Toro, who at 61 vows to remain uninterested in AI until he “croaks,” the technology represents a dangerous creative hubris.
A Lifelong Passion Project
Del Toro’s Frankenstein is more than just another film; it’s the culmination of a lifelong obsession. He recounted having an “epiphany” at age seven while watching the 1931 movie adaptation, a moment that shaped his artistic and even spiritual worldview. “I understood my faith or my dogmas better through Frankenstein than through Sunday mass,” he confessed.
Designing a New Monster
His version promises a fresh perspective, telling the story from the creature’s point of view. The monster’s design itself is a departure from the iconic Boris Karloff portrayal. Del Toro described the new creature as having a “very Byronian, very doomed, very Wuthering Heights sort of look.” The design is meticulously planned, with a head patterned after 19th-century phrenology manuals and a body that resembles an “alabaster or marble, statue,” evoking images of classical art and the religious icons of del Toro’s childhood in Mexico. This deeply personal approach underscores his belief in the irreplaceable nature of human artistry—a belief he is willing to defend to the very end.
Image Referance: https://www.npr.org/2025/10/23/nx-s1-5577963/guillermo-del-toro-frankenstein