Guillermo del Toro to Receive VES Award for Creative Excellence from Visual Effects Society

Posted on February 18, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Guillermo del Toro is being celebrated for his creative genius…

The 57-year-old Mexican Oscar-winning film director, producer, screenwriter and author will receive the Visual Effects Society’s career honor next month.

del Toro, a two-time Oscar winner for The Shape of Water — whose credits also include such effect-laden films as Pan’s Labyrinth, Blade II and the Pacific Rim and Hellboy films — will pick up the VES Award for Creative Excellence during the 20th anniversary VES Awards on March 8 at the Beverly Hilton.

“Guillermo is a fiercely inventive storyteller, who has pushed the boundaries of filmmaking,” VES Board Chair Lisa Cooke said. “An exemplary talent, he has consistently elevated not just the technical aspect of visual effects but also the emotional.”

Del Toro is up for the Best Picture Academy Award again this year for Nightmare Alley, his reimagining of the gritty 1947 noir Nightmare Alley.

The film starring Bradley Cooper and Cate Blanchett has four total Oscar nominations and will vie for Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature at the VES Awards.

Along with his writing and directing credits, del Toro also is a prolific producer of such acclaimed and successful films as The Orphanage, Julia’s Eyes, Biutiful, Kung Fu Panda 2, Puss in Boots and Mama.

He studied makeup effects with legendary artist Dick Smith; spent 10 years as a special-effects makeup designer; and formed his own company, Necropia.

The VES Award for Creative Excellence recognizes individuals who’ve made significant and lasting contributions to the art and science of the visual effects industry by uniquely and consistently creating compelling and creative imagery in service to story, per the group.

“Guillermo is an amazing creative force and a defining voice in our global community, and his body of work is a rich source of inspiration for future generations of artists and innovators,” Cooke added.

Netflix Orders Guillermo del Toro Horror Anthology Series “Guillermo del Toro Presents 10 After Midnight”

Posted on May 15, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Guillermo del Toro is expanding his partnership with Netflix…

The 53-year-old Mexican filmmaker, the creator of Netflix’s Emmy-winning DreamWorks Trollhunters, is creating a live-action program on the Netflix.

The online streaming service has ordered Guillermo del Toro Presents 10 After Midnight, its first original horror anthology series.

The series is described as a collection of the Oscar-winning filmmaker’s personally curated stories, described as both equally sophisticated and horrific.

The Shape of Water writer-director created the series and will write and direct certain episodes. In addition, he’ll handpick a team of top horror writers and new filmmakers to bring his selection of stories to life.

Guillermo del Toro Presents 10 After Midnight is a Netflix production. The project extends del Toro and Netflix’s collaboration that began with the animated series DreamWorks Trollhunters, which returns May 25 for the third and final season. The Emmy-winning Trollhunters is the first installment of a trilogy dubbed DreamWorks’ Tales of Arcadia. The next chapter, 3 Below, debuts later this year followed by Wizards in 2019.

Del Toro’s The Shape of Water, which earned four Oscars this year, including Best Picture, Best Director for del Toro, Best Original Score and Best Production Design.

His previous films alternate between Spanish-language dark fantasy pieces, such as The Devil’s Backbone (2001), and triple Oscar winner Pan’s Labyrinth (2006), and American studio movies such as the vampire superhero action pic Blade II (2002), the supernatural adventures Hellboy (2004) and Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008) and the sci-fi monsters-versus-robots film Pacific Rim (2013).

Guillermo del Toro Named Best Director at This Year’s Golden Globes

Posted on January 8, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a long overdue first for Guillermo del Toro…

The 53-year-old Mexican filmmaker picked up his first Golden Globe trophy at Sunday’s Golden Globe Awards.

Guillermo del Toro

del Toro, who’d never been nominated before this year, took home the trophy for Best Director, for his inspired work on The Shape of Water.

Known for his work on monster movies like Hellboy, Pan’s Labyrinth and Blade, del Toro is considered a master of the genre.

In The Shape of Water, he continues in that same world, telling the story of a lonely janitor who forms a unique relationship with an amphibious creature that is being held captive. It was originally conceived with 1960s monster movies in mind, but transformed into something quite different as the deep relationship between its characters evolved.

“Since childhood, I’ve been faithful to monsters,” said del Toro in his acceptance speech, calling them “patron saints of imperfection.” del Toro noted that he has spent 25 years handcrafting “very strange little tales” that ultimately “have saved my life.” He closed by noting, “My monsters thank you.”

Meanwhile, Disney/Pixar’s hit Coco was named Best Animated Feature. The film’s director Lee Unkrich gave a shout-out “to the incredible people of Mexico” without whom he said the film would not exist.

The win follows best animated film honors from the National Board of Review and the New York Film Critics Circle.

Coco takes place during the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos. Directed by Unkrich and Adrian Molina, Coco follows a young boy, Miguel, who wishes to be a star-studded crooner of standards, just like his grandfather, the legendary singer Ernesto de la Cruz. However, music is of the devil in Miguel’s family, and de la Cruz is largely to blame for the curse. In order to make generational events correct, Miguel finds himself on the other side of life with relatives he’s only heard stories about.

The 75th anniversary Golden Globe Awards were handed out at the Beverly Hilton..

Here’s the full list of winners:

Best Motion Picture, Drama: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Actress, Motion Picture Drama : Frances Mcdormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Actor, Motion Picture Drama : Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour
Best Motion Picture, Musical/Comedy : Lady Bird, Iac Films; A24
Best Actress, Motion Picture – Comedy : Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird
Best Direction, Film : Guillermo Del Toro, The Shape Of Water
Best Limited TV Series/Made For TV Movie : Big Little Lies, HBO, HBO Entertainment / David E. Kelly Productions / Pacific Standard / Blossom Films
Best TV Series, Comedy/Musical : The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Amazon, Amazon Studios
Best Actor, Limited Tv Series/Made For TV Movie:  Ewan Mcgregor, Fargo
Best Screenplay, Motion Picture : Martin Mcdonagh, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Supporting Actress, Motion Picture : Allison Janney, I, Tonya
Best Animated Film : Coco, Pixar Animation Studios; Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Best Supporting Actress TV Series/Limited Series/Tv Movie : Laura Dern, Big Little Lies
Best Actor Motion Picture, Musical/Comedy : James Franco, The Disaster Artist
Best Original Song, Film : “This Is Me” — The Greatest Showman, Music By: Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, Lyrics By: Benj Pasek, Justin Paul
Best Original Score, Film : Alexandre Desplat, The Shape Of Water
Best Supporting Actor, TV Series/Limited Series/Made For TV Movie : Alexander Skarsgård, Big Little Lies
Best TV Series, Drama:  The Handmaid’s Tale, Hulu, MGM
Best Actor, TV Series – Drama : Sterling K. Brown This Is Us
Best Actress TV Series, Drama : Elisabeth Moss, The Handmaid’s Tale
Best Actress TV, Musical/Comedy:  Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Best Supporting Actor, Film:  Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Actress Limited Series TV:  Nicole Kidman, Big Little Lies

Fox Searchlight to Release del Toro’s Cold War Drama “The Shape of Water” in December

Posted on April 21, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Guillermo del Toro is getting in Shape for December…

Fox Searchlight will release the 52-year-old Mexican filmmaker’s Cold War drama The Shape of Water on December 8, right in the wheelhouse of the annual film awards season.

The fantasy adventure film, which has been mostly shrouded in secrecy stars Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Doug Jones, Lauren Lee Smith, Michael Stuhlbarg and Octavia Spencer.

Fox Searchlight describes the film as “an other-wordly fairy tale, set against the backdrop of Cold War era America circa 1963. In the hidden high-security government laboratory where she works, lonely Elisa (Hawkins) is trapped in a life of silence and isolation. Her life is changed forever when she and co-worker Zelda (Spencer) discover a secret classified experiment.”

The experiment apparently is an “aquatic man,” played by Jones, a frequent del Toro collaborator who has appeared in the writer-director’s Pan’s Labyrinth and Hellboy movies, as well as his FX series The Strain.

del Toro directs from the script he wrote with Vanessa Taylor.

del Toro to Receive Filmmaker Award from Motion Picture Sound Editors (MPSE)

Posted on January 29, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Guillermo del Toro is getting a reel special honor…

The 52-year-old Mexican filmmaker will receive the 2017 MPSE Filmmaker Award from the Motion Picture Sound Editors (MPSE).

The organization will celebrate del Toro at the 64th annual Golden Reel Awards on February 19.

“Guillermo del Toro’s relentless imagination and energy provide inspiration to all of us in the entertainment industry,” MPSE president Tom McCarthy said in a statement. “He is constantly surprising, challenging and delighting audiences worldwide. We are extremely proud to recognize his contributions to our industry and culture with our Filmmaker Award.”

del Toro’s directing credits include Hellboy, Pacific Rim, Crimson Peak, Oscar winner Pan’s Labyrinth and the forthcoming The Shape of Water. Earlier in his career, he worked as a special-effects makeup designer. He also has produced such titles as Biutiful, Kung Fu Panda 2, The Book of Life and Puss in Boots.

“Texturally and narratively, sound and image fuse in the cinematic experience,” said del Toro. “I have spent as much time on the mixing board as I have on a stage, shooting or in a color-correction suite grading the final film. To paraphrase Mark Twain: ‘The difference between the almost right sound and the right sound ’tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.’ I am thus delighted and honored to receive this award from my colleagues and partners in the storytelling experience.”

del Toro Eyeing Benedict Cumberbatch for “Frankenstein” Role

Posted on July 12, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Guillermo del Toro has set his sites on a Star Trek-sized leading man for his next big project…

In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, the 48-year-old Mexican filmmaker divulged that he’d like to direct British actor Benedict Cumberbatch in his reimaging of Frankenstein, which is currently slated for release in 2015.

Cumberbatch recently garnered rave reviews for his portrayal of Khan in Star Trek Into Darkness, in which he starred opposite Zoë Saldaña.

del Toro’s Frankenstein project has been in the works since 2009, and he hasn’t attached any cast yet. Considering that he’s wanted Hellboy actor Doug Jones to play the monster for years, Cumberbatch would most likely portray Dr. Victor Frankenstein, the role he already played in the 2011 stage production of Frankenstein directed by Danny Boyle.

del Toro will work with Cumberbatch in Crimson Peak, the upcoming horror thriller from Universal Pictures. Set for release in April 2015, the film will also star Charlie Hunnam, Jessica Chastain and Mia Wasikowska.

del Toro is currently busy promoting Pacific Rim, which opened this Friday, on July 12.

Navarro Officially Signs with Talent Agency William Morris Endeavor (WME)

Posted on June 2, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Jorge Dorado isn’t the only emerging Latino talent with a bright future in Hollywood…

Guillermo Navarro has officially signed with talent agency William Morris Endeavor (WME).

The 58-year-old Mexican cinematographer most recently shot the upcoming Pacific Rim, working with his long-time collaborator Guillermo del Toro.

Navarro’s credits include Pan’s Labyrinth, which earned him an Oscar for best cinematography; Hellboy and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn 1 and 2.

His directing debut is a 2012 music video for musician Mia Maestro titled “Blue Eyed Sailor,” co-directed with media artist Juan Azulay, also featuring his son Alvaro Navarro‘s cinematography.

He also recently directed three episodes of Hannibal for NBC.

del Toro Looking to Cast Emma Stone for “Crimson Peak”

Posted on January 17, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Guillermo del Toro has set his sights on a new leading lady…

The Amazing Spider-Man’s Emma Stone is in talks to star in the 48-year-old Mexican filmmaker’s latest project Crimson Peak.

Stone is still in early negotiations to join the haunted house thriller, according to Variety. It’s still unclear what Stone would tackle as the movie’s plot details are still being kept under wraps.

In addition to directing the film, del Toro will write the script along with Lucinda Coxon.

Crimson Peak will mark del Toro’s return to horror film genre following his work on the sci-fi action flick Pacific Rim.

Further details of the project are still scarce, but it is said that the Hellboy helmer is looking at a February 2014 start date for the project.

del Toro recently served as the executive producer for Andres Muschietti‘s horror film Mama, which stars Jessica Chastain. The film will open in theaters this Friday, January 18.

del Toro Developing “Pan’s Labyrinth” for Broadway…

Posted on December 7, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

He’s already conquered Hollywood with films like Hellboy and the highly anticipated Pacific Rim… And now Guillermo del Toro is setting his sights on the Great White Way…

The 48-year-old Mexican filmmaker is developing his award-winning film Pan’s Labyrinth as a Broadway musical.

del Toro has already reportedly written a book for the stage version of the 2006 Mexican dark fantasy film, which centers on the young stepdaughter of a sadistic army officer who finds refuge and terror in a fantasy world in 1944 Fascist Spain.

Paul Williams has just signed on to write the lyrics, while Academy Award-winning composer Gustavo Santaolalla is writing the music.

del Toro has been working quietly on the stage version of the film for four years, interviewing directors, librettists and composers.

del Toro, Williams and Santaolalla are also currently working on the music for the del Toro-produced animated film Day of The Dead, currently in the advanced stages of production.

“I admire and love Gustavo and Paul wrote the perfect album in Phantom Of The Paradise, which I have loved for decades,” said del Toro, who just wrapped Pacific Rim for Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. and who’ll next direct the haunted house tale Crimson Peak.

“I’m so excited about translating Guillermo’s magical vision into music and songs,” said Santaolalla. “I’m such a longtime fan of both Guillermo and Paul that to work on this with them is truly a dream come true.”

del Toro’s “Mama” Trailer Released…

Posted on October 18, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

He’s tackled the supernatural and dark fantasy worlds on the big screen… And, now Guillermo del Toro is getting his horror on.

Universal has released a new trailer for Mama, a horror film executive-produced by the 48-year-old Mexican filmmaker, who is best known for his films Hellboy and Pan’s Labyrinth.

The film centers on a couple, Annabel and Lucas, that is faced with the challenge of raising Lucas’ young nieces, who were discovered in a forest after being lost there for five years. It soon becomes apparent that the girls are being haunted by a ghostly woman they believe to be their mother. Meanwhile, Annabel plans to use the girls in a bid to bring back her own dead children.

Directed by Andres Muschietti, the supernatural thriller starring Jessica Chastain and Game Of Thrones’ Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.

The film is based on Muschietti’s Spanish-language short film Mamá, which was released in 2008.

Mama opens nationwide January 18, 2013.

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