Filming for Frankenstein adaptation The Bride has begun (Picture: Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
Horror classic Frankenstein is reimagined once again as Batman legend Christian Bale transforms into the monster for new film, The Bride!
Mary Shelley’s novel has captivated creatives since its publication over 200 years ago but Maggie Gyllenhaal’s reimaging promises to put a twist on the icon.
Set in 1930s Chicago, a lonely monster seeks out a companion – naturally resulting in his creator ‘reinvigorating’ a dead woman.
However, this titular Bride, played by Jessie Buckley, is not what either of them had planned as she ignites a ‘radical social movement’ and runs riot.
Sticklers for the source material will note that Christian’s monster is called Frankenstein in this, while his mad scientist is Dr. Euphonious.
In the first look on set in New York, the 50-year-old Bruce Wayne actor can be seen looking utterly unrecognisable with his iconic sewn-together forehead.
Christian Bale And Jessie Buckley have completely transformed (Picture: Christopher Peterson / SplashNews.com)
The pair are starring as resurrected Frankenstein and his Bride (Picture: Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
The American Psycho icon is looking a little less clean cut (Picture: Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
Covering his mouth with a scarf, he wears a dirtied era-appropriate suit with huge shoulder pads creating that well-known Frankenstein’s monster shape.
Next to him, Jessie, 34, sports wild platinum-blonde hair, an open orange silk dress with a black lacy bra underneath, and a leg brace over some blue thigh-high stockings.
In stark contrast to her pale skin, the bride’s lips are jet black with a burst of black splattering across her cheek and arms.
Other snaps from the set show Christian disguised in a large leather double-breasted coat, drenched in rusty brown patches, with a hat and briefcase.
The rest of the cast has not yet been seen but boasts an impressive line-up of Julianne Hough, Penélope Cruz, Peter Sarsgaard, and Annette Bening.
He certainly looks intimidating (Picture: Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
The odd couple can be seen dashing through the New York streets in an intense scene (Picture: Christopher Peterson / SplashNews.com)
Maggie Gyllenhaal directs after her Oscar-nominated debut (Picture: T.JACKSON / BACKGRID)
Jessie and Maggie have teamed up once before on the latter’s directorial debut The Lost Daughter in 2021.
This earned some serious acclaim with the Chernobyl star landing an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress, losing out to Ariana DeBose in West Side Story.
Of course, the Academy Awards that year are more widely remembered for the on-stage shock of Will Smith slapping Chris Rock.
The Bride! is set to hit cinemas on October 3, 2025, and will go toe to toe with Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein.
Also building on the world Shelley created, this reimagining sees a presumed dead Dr Frankenstein tracked down by a fellow scientist who wishes to continue his experiments.
The film will hit cinemas in October of next year (Picture: Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
Jessie worked with Maggie on her last film The Lost Daughter(Picture: Christopher Peterson / SplashNews.com)
Her performance in The Lost Daughter gained her an Oscar nod (Picture: Christopher Peterson / SplashNews.com)
It is believed this will centre more on introspective themes of fatherhood and human nature, as opposed to romance and political reckonings.
The Pans Labyrinth legend also boasts an impressive cast for his film with Jacob Elordi starring as the monster and Oscar Isaac as Dr Frankenstein.
Horror darling Mia Goth and icon Charles Dance are also tied to the project, with David Bradley, Ralph Ineson, Lars Mikkelsen and Christoph Waltz rounding out the cast.
Only time will tell which Frankenstein reigns supreme, with Guillermo’s version yet to get a set release date.
The Bride! hits cinemas on October 3, 2025.
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