Released back in 1997,Mimicwas a somewhat bitter induction into Hollywood filmmaking for director Guillermo del Toro.

I always said I needed it, like making amends with myself [Chuckles].

And those character moments really change the atmosphere and pace of the film.

It seemed to be rushing through ideas, rather giving them a little chance, you know?

How much of a hand did you have in designing those did you have back in 1997?

We tried to design them so they could stand up.

We tried to make them look natural I was trying to make them look like real insects.

I didnt want to give them exotic shells or anything like that.

Both the monsters and the story attempt to make the science believable.

If you Google it, youll find it.

I think the greatest giant insect movie ever made isThem!.

You dont create more creatures.

You keep it rooted in reality, so the monster seems plausible, like a real living creature.

I think those are the real rules.

But insects have such a hold on our imagination theyre primal creatures that we fear.

I think the great thing aboutMimicis its use of practical effects rather than lots of CG.

Yeah, which I still do, like inHellboy.

Thats really important to me.

Do you think theres now an over-reliance on computers when it comes to creatures in films?

I think so, yes.

If somethings too big or too small, you have to use CG, for sure.

Is it becoming more difficult, do you think, to make a truly scary movie monster?

What is scary to me is silly to somebody else.

CG isnt scary to me.

And its the same with things that are meant to be scary.

But other than that, horror is always about context.

The creator has to find the right context for things to happen thats when a monster really works.

You mentionedAt The Mountains Of Madness.

I mean, Ill do my best for it to happen, but I dont know when.

I stopped having plans after Madness, because it always blows up in my face!

Maybe you could look at adapting another Lovecraft story one thats less expensive to make?

I think Im getting closer and closer to finding another short story to be made.

Ive got a lot of scripts, but its getting the backing to shoot them.

He influenced Stephen King,Alien, and maybe evenQuatermass And The Pit, which you mentioned earlier.

Is that something youd agree with?

And not only his cosmic horror there are the smaller tales too.

There are a lot of Lovecraftian monsters in your films, too, arent there?

Mike MignolasHellboywas influenced by Lovecraft big time.

He wanted to make his monsters Lovecraftian.

Gigers original painting, which ultimately became the alien, was called Necronom IV.

And as you say, his influence is rarely acknowledged.

People normally sayAlienwas influenced byIt!

The Thingis another film thats obviously inspired by it.

It is an absolutely admitted fact by John W Campbell, that he was inspired by it.

Going back toMimic, now youve had 14 years distance from it, are you happier with it now?

Can you look at it more easily?

Yeah, I love this cut.

Its a good version of the movie we made, and Im proud of it.

It still has flaws, of course, but theres still some good stuff in there to discover.

So how far are you along withPacific Rim?

We start shooting in five weeks, and Im very excited about it.

And what about the possibility of a thirdHellboy?

Is that something thats likely to happen?

I would love to have an answer to that.

I know, and I really appreciated it.

I hope you guys check out the directors cut ofMimic.

I think the changes have made for a much better movie.

Guillermo Del Toro, thank you very much.

Mimic: Directors Cut is out on Blu-ray on 31st October.