Christoph Waltz Says “CGI Is for Losers” While Praising Guillermo del Toro’s Practical Effects in FRANKENSTEIN
In true Christoph Waltz fashion, the legendary actor had no time for niceties during the Venice Film Festival press conference for Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein. When asked about the film’s effects, Waltz bluntly said, “CGI is for losers.”
That mic-drop quote pretty much summed up the press event for him, it was one of only six words he reportedly said throughout the entire thing. The other two? “I don’t,” when asked how he manages to stay hopeful these days.
Waltz plays Henrich Harlander in Frankenstein, a powerful arms dealer who bankrolls Victor Frankenstein’s twisted experiments. The film is a reimagining of Mary Shelley’s iconic Gothic tale, brought to life with del Toro’s signature style and, yes, a heavy emphasis on practical effects over digital.
Del Toro, who has never been shy about his love for physical effects and makeup work, used the opportunity to reflect on deeper themes at play.
Speaking about the film’s resonance in an AI-dominated era, he said, "We live in a time of terror and intimidation, certainly. And the answer, which art is part of, is love. For me, forgiveness is part of love and so many other things.
“And the central question in the novel from the beginning is, what is it to be human? What makes us human? And there’s no more urgent task than to remain human in a time where everything is pushing towards bipolar understanding of our humanity."
He continued with a bit of his signature wit: "To me, artificial intelligence I’m not afraid of; I’m afraid of natural stupidity, which is much more abundant."
Frankenstein features a great cast that includes Oscar Isaac stepping into the role of Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi playing the Creature. Rounding out the ensemble are Mia Goth, Lars Mikkelsen, Charles Dance, and Ralph Ineson.
The film hits theaters on October 17, and for those waiting to stream it, it’ll be available on Netflix starting November 7.