By Kharisma McIlwaine
I’ve always been a huge fan of fantasy stories and superheroes. I, Frankenstein takes Mary Shelley’s original novel and turns Frankenstein’s
monster into a modern day superhero. Ironically this “monster” exhibits more humanity than many humans. In the film I, Frankenstein we’re placed
in a sci- fi world of gargoyles, and demons while these opposing forces battle for the future of the human race. We see a new spin on an age old tale that
depicts what it means to be human, the importance of love, and how to navigate one’s way to happiness in a world full of pain. I had the pleasure of
speaking with several cast members as well as the writer, and director of this intriguing film.
Kevin Grevioux, known for his work in the Underworld films, added his intricate writing style to this new version of the classic. In I, Frankenstein, Grevioux took on multiple roles as screenplay and graphic novel writer, producer, and actor playing the role of Dekar, a demon.
Generally we don’t see African American writers produce sci -fi material.
Here is what Grevioux had to say, “First and foremost it’s fun! I’ve been a comic book fan since I was a kid. I use to build monster models, probably
before your time (said with a laugh). When you humanize a monster you’re basically using a metaphor of abandonment and being misunderstood. As an African
American man, a large African American man with a mind, who has a heavy voice, you are often times a monster yourself… an object of fear.
So because of that they (monsters) provide a nice metaphor for my own life. Looking at the panoply of our existence in this country, we’re misunderstood…
but it’s about who you are versus how you’re perceived and what you want your narrative to be”.
PHOTO: I, Frankenstein screenwriter/producer Kevin Grevioux
Wise words from a man who has navigated his way to success in an area of film that many African American writers have yet to venture. In addition to
brilliant writing, Grevioux forged a partnership with respected writer and director Stuart Beattie. Beattie shared his goal for the collaboration on the
Frankenstein character, “The first thing to suffer in action movies is character, and I figured here was an opportunity to make a really character driven
action movie. If you start to sacrifice character in this, you can’t call it Frankenstein anymore. So we were able to keep this wonderfully complex guy
who’s all alone in the world and just wants love, a companion… someone to share his life with.”
Grevioux and Beattie’s approach was a success and Aaron Eckhart’s performance as Adam was outstanding. Outstanding performance aside, what I found even
more surprising was his view on the importance of telling this story. “The value I saw in this story was to trust your instincts, find the courage inside
of you to persevere. I felt like Frankenstein in my life, like Adam. I felt like I was ugly, unworthy, unwanted. There were definitely times in my life
when I didn’t know what my purpose was. There are teenagers that are going to see this film, most of them are going to feel the way Adam feels, whether we
say it’s true or not. That’s what resonated with me in this movie.”
I also spoke with Yvonne Strahovski who plays the role of Tessa, a scientist on the verge of a major discovery. She is one of two human characters in I, Frankenstein and the reason Adam begins to see worth in the human race. Here is what she had to say “I think this is such an amazing project
because it’s not what people expect when they hear the word Frankenstein in the title. People expect this horror film, or a regurgitation to some film that
we’ve all seen before but it’s a whole new world that we’ve created here.”
In I, Frankenstein we see incredible special effects, intense fighting sequences, and non stop action but ultimately, this is a film about choice
and perception. We all have a part of us that seeks acceptance, human connection, and love and we all deserve an opportunity for those things. In the end,
we dictate who we want to be.
I, Frankenstein
is playing in theaters nationwide.
Leave a Comment