Jacob Elordi and Mike Hill Collaborate to Bring 'Frankenstein' Creature to Life

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Jacob Elordi described the lengthy prosthetic process on Frankenstein, comparing it to a scene in Toy Story 2 where Woody is meticulously restored. Unlike the playful Pixar version, Elordi called the experience with VFX supervisor Mike Hill truly magical.

Theres a stage in prosthetics when everyone steps back and Mike comes in with his spray gun and brush to perfect the details, Elordi said. He applied the makeup over fifty times, with countless hours spent preparing before I even arrived. Each brush stroke felt like a life-or-death moment. By the end of ten hours, he entered this almost magical space.

For Hill, collaborating with Elordi was a highlight of his career. His first connection to Guillermo del Toros Frankenstein project came through a commission to recreate the classic Boris Karloff Creature. Hills lifelong passion for monster design allowed him to create a creature that was both beautiful and haunting, aligning perfectly with del Toros vision.

I knew we could craft a Creature with delicate, colorful details, and Guillermo would embrace it, Hill explained. Some directors might want something purely monstrous, but we were on the same page from the start.

Hill immediately recognized Elordi as the right actor for the role after seeing interviews showcasing his natural demeanor. His mannerisms, his posture, the soulful eyes reminiscent of Karloffit was clear he was our Creature. It wasnt just his physicality; it was the humanity he brought.

During the prosthetic sessions, Hill became a mentor to Elordi, sharing classic horror films and discussing the nuances of past creature performances. Elordi found inspiration in silent films and horror icons, using the quiet hours in the makeup chair to mentally prepare for scenes and explore his characters depth.

Those ten-hour sessions were a luxury to focus entirely on a two-page scene, Elordi said. I would listen to rain recordings from my backyard, eclectic music, and really immerse myself in the world we were creating.

Elordis calm, focused energy positively impacted Hill and his team. He was just a regular guy, which made the long makeup sessions enjoyable, Hill said. The effort from everyone during those ten hours was obvious on set.

Seeing Elordi fully embody the Creature for the first time on set was deeply moving for Hill. Hearing him speak brought the sculpture to life. It wasnt just our work or Guillermos visionit was Jacob animating it.

Maintaining the Creatures energy throughout filming was crucial. Hill stayed close to Elordi, ensuring the prosthetics were perfect each day and providing on-set support like a surrogate parent. Elordi described the team as a Creature unit, working together through long hours from morning into the night.

Despite tight preparation schedulesHill had nine weeks to finalize designs, and Elordi only four to trainthe collaboration exceeded their expectations. Elordi compared the prosthetics to sunglasses: hiding oneself to reveal the characters true essence. Hill reflected on achieving a lifelong dream designing the Creature for del Toro and seeing Elordi inhabit it.

Mike Hill is a genius, Elordi said. He balances beauty and grotesque effortlessly. Watching him work was like seeing Woody restored in Toy Story 2, a perfect blend of art and magic.

Frankenstein is currently available for streaming on Netflix.

Author: Harper Simmons