Jacob Elordi to Star in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein: A Career-Defining Role With Major Financial Stakes
Jacob Elordi is set to play the Creature in Guillermo del Toro’s upcoming adaptation of Frankenstein, a high-budget production expected to become one of Netflix’s major cinematic releases. The film, reported to have a budget of around $120 million and currently positioned for a late 2025 release window, marks a significant shift in Elordi’s career as he moves from teen romance and prestige drama into auteur-driven blockbuster territory.
Jacob Elordi will star as the Creature in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, a Netflix-backed film reported to have a budget of approximately $120 million. This marks a major shift in Elordi’s career, as the actor transitions from roles in Euphoria, Saltburn, and Priscilla into leading a high-profile gothic drama. The article explores his rise, the business stakes behind the film, and what this means for his growing influence in Hollywood.
A New Era for Jacob Elordi
Jacob Elordi’s rise has been fast, and at times, unexpected. The Australian actor first gained international attention in Netflix’s The Kissing Booth films, playing a charismatic, rebellious teen heart-throb. But it was his role in HBO’s Euphoria as Nate Jacobs, the tightly wound antagonist with a complex emotional core, that signaled a dramatic shift in how audiences and directors viewed him.
In 2023 and 2024, his performances in Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla and Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn cemented his reputation as one of Hollywood’s most intriguing young actors. Critics praised his balance of vulnerability and intensity, with The Guardian calling his Saltburn performance “the kind you can’t look away from.”
Today, industry analysts estimate Elordi’s net worth at around $4 million, though that figure is expected to rise significantly as he moves toward leading roles in major studio and prestige films. His striking screen presence, physical stature, and growing acting maturity make him a standout in a crowded industry.
The Frankenstein Project: What We Know So Far
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein adaptation is one of the most talked-about upcoming films in prestige cinema. Known for Pan’s Labyrinth, The Shape of Water, and Nightmare Alley, del Toro has pursued a Frankenstein project for decades. His version focuses deeply on themes of identity, humanity, longing, and rejection.
Jacob Elordi will play the Creature, a role that demands extraordinary physical and emotional dedication. Mia Goth and Oscar Isaac are also attached to the cast, forming a trio designed to draw both commercial and awards-season attention.
Del Toro has spoken openly about why Elordi was chosen, telling Deadline earlier this year:
“Jacob has the presence and the emotional depth. The eyes tell the story, and his eyes are full of humanity.”
This casting signals that Elordi is no longer being viewed merely as a leading man in romance or psychological thrillers — he is now stepping into roles traditionally reserved for actors with long-established dramatic weight.
Jacob Elordi and Mia Goth at the Paris premiere of ‘Frankenstein’
The Financial and Industry Context
Frankenstein is expected to be a flagship release for Netflix, which has increasingly positioned itself not just as a streaming service but as a global film studio capable of delivering high-budget prestige work.
The reported budget of around $120 million reflects:
• Extensive makeup, prosthetics, and special effects work
• A major director with awards pedigree
• A theatrical-plus-streaming release strategy
• International marketing designed to push awards consideration
For Netflix, this is not simply an artistic decision — it is a competitive one. Prestige films drive cultural relevance, subscriber retention, and long-term platform identity.
According to analysis reviewed by CEO Today, Netflix’s investment in auteur-driven cinema represents a strategic move to counter shifting subscriber habits and increasing competition from emerging platforms.
Legal and Rights Considerations
Frankenstein remains one of literature’s most publicly adapted works, and Mary Shelley’s original novel has been in the public domain for decades. This allows for creative freedom without the licensing complications typically associated with modern franchises.
However, del Toro’s adaptation carries trademarked visual design and character interpretations owned by the studio and Netflix, meaning future merchandising and derivative works could become financially significant long after theatrical release.
Elordi’s contract for the film is expected to include performance-based bonuses rather than a standard flat fee, tying his financial upside directly to audience performance and awards traction.
This reflects a broader industry trend: rising stars are being incentivized to attach themselves to prestige projects that can elevate their long-term value rather than simply offer short-term pay.
What This Means for Elordi’s Future
If Frankenstein lands successfully, Jacob Elordi will move into a new category of Hollywood stardom — one that blends critical credibility with blockbuster viability.
This is the territory of actors like Robert Pattinson and Adam Driver: thoughtful, selective performers who command both audience fascination and industry respect.
Elordi has already shown an ability to reinvent his screen identity more than once. Now, he is doing it again — at a moment when the world is watching.
