Guillermo del Toro Assures Fans 'Absolutely No Goddamn AI' Used in Pan's Labyrinth 3D Re-Release

Guillermo del Toro announced at San Diego Comic-Con on Friday, July 24, 2026, that the upcoming 3D re-release of his classic film Pan's Labyrinth was created without a trace of artificial intelligence. The director made the declaration during a Hall H panel celebrating the film's 20th anniversary, directly addressing the restoration process for the new theatrical presentation.

Del Toro is a three-time Oscar winner known for his meticulously crafted fantasy and horror films. His latest comments reinforce a consistent, public stance against using generative AI in filmmaking.

What Did Guillermo del Toro Say About AI?

Del Toro was emphatic about the techniques used for the new 4K, 3D conversion. "I said, 'Absolutely no goddamn AI,'" he told the Comic-Con audience, a statement met with applause. He framed the choice as a defense of artistic craft. "What we're protecting is the beauty and the redeeming power of art," del Toro said, according to Deadline. "It's much more expensive. I don't care."

He elaborated that the conversion required a painstaking, manual process. "You have to put in time. You have to do every element by hand," he explained. "A human made a decision of depth."

Key details for the Pan's Labyrinth re-release are now confirmed:

• Formats: Available in both 3D and 2D HDR
• Presented by: Cineverse and Fathom Events
• AI Policy: No artificial intelligence was used in the restoration

What is Pan's Labyrinth and Who Made It?

Pan's Labyrinth is a dark fantasy drama written and directed by Guillermo del Toro. Released in 2006, the film is set in post–civil war Spain and follows 10-year-old Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) as she escapes her cruel stepfather's world by entering a mysterious labyrinth. There, a faun (Doug Jones) tells her she may be a lost princess and must complete dangerous tasks.

The film stars Sergi López as Capitán Vidal and Maribel Verdú as Mercedes. It was a critical and commercial success, earning a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 98/100 on Metacritic. According to verified data, it grossed $83 million worldwide against a $19 million budget. It won three Academy Awards for Best Makeup, Cinematography, and Art Direction, out of six total nominations.

Why This Re-Release Matters Now

Del Toro's firm anti-AI stance arrives amid intense industry debate about the role of generative technology in art. His choice to undertake a more expensive, human-driven process positions the re-release as a statement on preserving artistic lineage. "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," he argued.

The panel also served as a reunion and reflection. Del Toro recalled significant adversity during the original shoot, with crew members skeptical of blending a dark fairy tale with a war story. "They would see a faun come in in the middle of a civil war movie, and they would say, 'This fucker is crazy,'" he remembered. He cited the iconic scene where the Pale Man holds up his own eyes as the moment the crew finally understood his vision.

What's Next for Pan's Labyrinth?

Del Toro also teased a forthcoming documentary about the making of the original film, which will feature appearances by actors Cate Blanchett, Charlie Day, and Jacob Elordi. The documentary does not yet have a release date.

The film's 4K restoration was first unveiled at the Cannes Film Festival earlier in 2026, receiving a lengthy standing ovation—a callback to the historic 22-minute ovation the film received at its Cannes premiere two decades prior.

The Film's Critical and Commercial Performance

According to Rotten Tomatoes, Pan's Labyrinth holds a 95% critics' score, while Metacritic gives it a 98/100. Its worldwide gross reached $83 million against a production budget of $19 million. The film's accolades include 109 wins and 115 nominations from various awards bodies, according to OMDb data.