Guillermo del Toro didn’t mince words when asked about bringing Pan’s Labyrinth back to theaters.
The 61-year-old Oscar-winning filmmaker was discussing the fantasy-horror film’s 20th anniversary at San Diego Comic-Con when he revealed his singular rule for doing so.
“No goddamn AI,” del Toro said, per Variety.
After applause from the audience, he continued: “What we’re protecting is the beauty and the redeeming power of art. It’s not about who gets the job. We are protecting a lineage of art. If we cut a generation of people from learning their craft, you’re cutting the rest of the history of that medium away from them for what?”
The filmmaker continued, saying he converted the film into 3D by hand.
But in doing so, he was forced to make another decision: whether to do it quick, or do it good.
“I chose good,” he told the crowd. “You have to put in time. You have to do every element by hand. A human made a decision of depth.”
This isn’t the first time del Toro has voiced his thoughts on AI in filmmaking. Last year, he made it clear that he would “rather die” than work with artificial intelligence. The triple Oscar winner drew parallels between tech bros who are using the technology to the “arrogance” of Frankenstein, the Mary Shelley character who he brought to screens with his 2025 Netflix film.
Speaking to NPR, he said that “natural stupidity… is what drives most of the world’s worst features.”
“AI, particularly generative AI – I am not interested, nor will I ever be interested,” he continued. “I’m 61, and I hope to be able to remain uninterested in using it at all until I croak… The other day, somebody wrote me an email, said, ‘What is your stance on AI?’ And my answer was very short. I said, ‘I’d rather die.’”
Pan’s Labyrinth celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. The sinister film, which incorporated elements of myth, fairy tales and folklore, along with influences from Del Toro’s own childhood, was set five years after the Spanish Civil War, and went on to win three Oscars at the Academy Awards.
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day
New subscribers only. £9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.
Try for free
ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day
New subscribers only. £9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.
Try for free
ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
The film is even thought to have earned the longest standing ovation in the history of the Cannes Film Festival. At the film’s 2006 premiere, the audience stood, thwacking their hands together and swooning for a total of 22 minutes.
Pan’s Labyrinth returns to theaters October 9.
