First look at Elle Fanning as Frankenstein author Mary Shelley!

February 9th 2017, 1:45pm

Last Updated on July 21, 2021

Elle Fanning impressed the hell out of me in NEON DEMON.

Well, I guess you could say NEON DEMON impressed the hell out of me, and Elle Fanning was in it… Nothing against the girl, but she kinda slept-walked through the flick, didn't she? But, I guess that was the point. When you're "pretty" why bother creating a personality. The movie's words, not mine.

Anyhow, now I keep my eyes out for Elle Fanning news, and this story, while not strictly horror, is based on one of the great horror-novelist of our time. (No, not Stephen King, but how cool would THAT have been?) Elle Fanning as none other than FRANKENSTEIN creator Mary Shelley in — get this — MARY SHELLEY.

MARY SHELLEY tells the story of the author's early relationship with poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, and, no spoilers here, but as you can see by the previously mentioned poet's last name, the relationship seems to have a pre-determined outcome, huh? Maybe that's why this bio was originally titled A STORM IN THE STARS.

That's a great title, but not for a Mary Shelley flick, so I can see the change. That said, I'm sure there was a furious argument about "how can we call this MARY SHELLEY, when it's about her life BEFORE she gets married?", which didn't end well as we can see.

Such is life

MARY SHELLEY is directed by Saudi filmmaker Haifaa al-Mansour. And also stars Douglas Booth, Bel Powley, Maisie Williams, Joanne Froggatt and Tom Sturridge. HanWay Films is handling international sales and distribution, and is currently is new footage to buyers in Berlin.