As one of the most enduring and mythic stories across any medium, the arc of mad-scientist-creates-monster within Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein should be common knowledge. But during his appearance at San Diego Comic-Con last weekend, Sherlock director Paul McGuigan touched upon how his adaptation of the dark source material – entitled Victor Frankenstein – differs from all that has come before.
Essentially, rather than letting the animated monstrosity chew the scenery, McGuigan’s interpretation of Shelley’s indelible novel will focus on the science, along with the relationship between Victor and his trusty assistant Igor, who he straightened out in every sense of the word. Those two central personas will be played by James McAvoy and Daniel Radcliffe, respectively, and in an interview with Collider, the filmmaker talked about using Radcliffe’s character as an audience surrogate.
It’s our take. Our Frankenstein is about rewinding back, and we’re giving the name to the scientist rather than the monster. It’s about him and his relationship with his assistant, Igor, and through his eyes we really get to see how Victor Frankenstein is and why he’s doing what he’s doing.
Stepping into the shoes of the deranged doctor, it’s interesting to note that Victor Frankenstein will try to rationalize McAvoy’s devious, death-defying ploy to create a living and breathing monster. Jessica Brown Findlay, Andrew Scott, and Freddie Fox round out the cast.
Victor Frankenstein opens in theaters on November 25, and only then will we find out whether McGuigan’s atypical approach to the source material can distinguish itself from its peers.
When Dr. Victor Frankenstein (James McAvoy) and his trusted assistant Igor (Daniel Radcliffe) go too far in their noble attempts to aid humanity, Victor’s obsession turns to madness. He then unleashes his final creation –a monstrous figure that holds unimaginable terror for anyone its path.