In an exclusive conversation with MovieWeb, Cole Sprouse and Kathryn Newton, the stars of the new horror comedy Lisa Frankenstein, shared insights about their experience working on this exciting project. Fans of the film Big Daddy will recall that Sprouse had a previous connection to the character Frankenstein, as he portrayed a young version of the character in the 1999 comedy alongside Adam Sandler. In Big Daddy, Sprouse's character had the opportunity to choose his own name, and he selected the name 'Frankenstein' as a nod to the famous monster.
Reflecting on the journey from Big Daddy's Frankenstein to Lisa Frankenstein, Sprouse shared that internet users reminded him of his previous role where he had the chance to decide his own name. He revealed, 'I can just remember internet pointing out to me because in Big Daddy, I can just pick what I want to name myself, and I chose Frankenstein.'
Curious about how young Sprouse pronounced the name 'Frankenstein' during the filming of Big Daddy, Kathryn Newton, co-star of Lisa Frankenstein, playfully inquired about it. Sprouse humorously responded, 'Fwankenstein.' Newton eagerly joined in and affectionately repeated, 'Aw, Fwankenstein.'
Sprouse explained that, as a child, he struggled with pronouncing his 'R's,' leading him to require a speech coach during the filming of Big Daddy. Newton jokingly remarked that he had manifested this situation himself, to which Sprouse amusingly expressed gratitude, saying, 'I couldn't say my R's. I had to have a speech coach come in and teach me how to say my R's. It was actually really sensitive for me, so thank you for bringing that up [laughs].'
Lisa Frankenstein, directed by Dennis Dugan and featuring Adam Sandler as Sonny Koufax, is a horror comedy that follows the journey of a slacker trying to impress his ex-girlfriend by adopting a five-year-old boy. Although Big Daddy received mixed reviews, it achieved success at the box office and has since become a favorite among Adam Sandler's fans.
Lisa Frankenstein, directed by Zelda Williams in her debut feature-length directorial role and written by Diablo Cody, stars Kathryn Newton, Cole Sprouse, Liza Soberano, Henry Eikenberry, Joe Chrest, and Carla Gugino. The film is described as a 'coming of rage love story' by Cody, known for her work on Jennifer's Body. The movie explores the relationship between a misunderstood teenager and her attractive undead high school crush. After a series of delightfully spooky events bring him back to life, the pair embarks on a darkly comedic and murderous journey in search of love, happiness, and a few missing body parts along the way.
When Lisa Frankenstein was released on February 9, 2024, it was met with anticipation from fans of the genre. MovieWeb's own Will Sayre praised the film in his review, declaring that 'Diablo Cody Strikes Again.' He found Lisa Frankenstein to be a thrilling and hilariously uncomfortable ride that left audiences laughing out loud.
If you're eager to catch a glimpse of the horror-filled hilarity Lisa Frankenstein has to offer, be sure to check out the trailer below.
