Aussie actor Xavier Samuel appeared as The Twilight Saga's Riley Biers and has subsequently popped up in a small role in Fury. His next turn, as Monster in Bernard Rose’s new take on Frankenstein, is a lot more eye-catching - as this first reveal from the film hints. He was the creation of evil vamp Victoria in Twilight, now it’s the turn of a pair of scientists played by Carrie-Ann Moss and Danny Huston as Elizabeth and Victor Frankenstein respectively to modify Samuel into a potentially horrifying new creation. Except this Frankenstein is told from the Monster’s perspective and it’s with him that our sympathies will lie as his creators abandon him to a cruel and uncaring world. "This perfect creation-turned disfigured monster must come to grips with the horrific nature of humanity,” runs the synopsis.
Samuel joins an illustrious line of actors to have played Frankenstein's Monster, including Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr., Robert De Niro, Aaron Eckhart and, most recently, Rory Kinnear in Penny Dreadful. This time, it’s a modern take on the story set in Los Angeles.
English director Rose, a man with an ever-intriguing filmography, is bring this slant on Mary Shelley’s gothic yarn together. He boasts two other Danny Huston collaborations in** Ivans xtc** and The Kreutzer Sonata, as well as Candyman and early work with Jim Henson on The Muppets and The Dark Crystal.
Not too many CVs boast Gonzo and Frankenstein’s Monster, but Rose is a filmmaker with a pretty singular vision and his Frankenstein will be worth keeping an eye on. Special effects whizz Randy Westgate of X-Men Origins: Wolverine fame has created the look of the character.