It may be hard to believe, but Crimson Peak was initially conceptualized way back in 2006. Following Pan's Labyrinth, director Guillermo del Toro wanted to do something darker, more adult - considering Pan's Labyrinth wasn't exactly a walk in the park, that's definitely saying something. The film that would become Crimson Peak was something far more sinister than anything del Toro had ever done before...but it would be years before anyone saw or heard anything about the film.
Now, nearly a decade later, and Crimson Peak is well on its way to being finished. The film is due out later this year, and principal photography ended back in May 2014 - meaning that it's just about time for fans to finally get a look at what del Toro has been up to.
It's immediately apparent that Crimson Peak is unlike anything that del Toro has ever made. His signature style is still there - the Gothic sets and character design are evidence of that - but even in this short teaser, it's clear that Crimson Peak isn't just darker than any of del Toro's films, but a different beast entirely.
A traditional ghost story may sound disappointing at first, but remember - this is the man who created the Hellboy films, Pacific Rim and Pan's Labyrinth. Monster designs are his forte, and while the specters may only take a tiny bit of the trailer's screen time, and they may be a bit more reserved than del Toro's previous works, it's clear that these won't just be generic ghosts wrapped up in cloth.
There's still a ways to go before the film hits theaters, but if this first trailer is anything to go by, del Toro's creating a love letter to classic horror stories...and we should all be afraid.
Crimson Peak is set to debut on Oct. 16.
