Guillermo del Toro says he'd 'rather die' than use generative AI in his movies

Guillermo del Toro would rather join the undead than use generative AI, although he did find inspiration for Frankenstein in some of its biggest champions.

The Shape of Water director would "rather die" than use generative AI in his movies, del Toro said in an interview with NPR's Fresh Air podcast. When asked if he used any of the technology in Frankenstein, he said he didn't consider it.

"AI, particularly generative AI, I am not interested, nor will I ever be interested," he told Fresh Air. "I'm 61, and I hope to be able to remain uninterested in using it at all until I croak."

See Jacob Elordi as the creature in Guillermo del Toro's 'Frankenstein' in Netflix's first full look

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While he is not fond of the tech himself, del Toro did see the similarities between AI and the story of his protagonist Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac).

"My concern is not artificial intelligence, but natural stupidity," the Pan's Labyrinth director said. "I think that's what drives most of the world's worst teachers. But I did want to have the arrogance of Victor be similar in some ways to the tech bros, you know? He's kind of blind, creating something without considering the consequences, you know? And I think we have to take a pause and consider where we're going."

The Pinocchio director's version of Frankenstein sees Jacob Elordi as the iconic monster. Netflix recently revealed a full photo of del Toro's take on the creature, which takes a departure from the usual short-cropped hair and square head. Instead, Elordi is adorned with a patchwork of scars and long strands.

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"Victor is as much an artist as he is a surgeon, and if he's been dreaming about this creature for all his life, he's going to nail it," del Toro previously told Entertainment Weekly. "It looks like a newborn, alabaster creature. The scars are beautiful and almost aerodynamic."

In addition to Isaac and Elordi, the cast includes Felix Kammerer, Mia Goth, Charles Dance, and Christoph Waltz. Frankenstein was released in select theaters on Oct. 17. The film premieres on Netflix on Nov. 7.

Listen to the full episode of Fresh Air with Guillermo del Toro below.