Today Guillermo del Toro is a legend for films like Pan's Labyrinth and Pacific Rim, but his first Hollywood film is the sci-fi horror film Mimic. It was perfect as his first studio film since he says he has "a sort of a fetish for insects, clockwork, monsters, dark places, and unborn things." The main creatures were large genetically modified insects that adapted to look like people. One of the artists that helped shape the look of the creatures was Ty Ellingson.
TyRuben "Ty" Ellingson is a professional concept and storyboard artist who's worked on Hollywood classics like Jurassic Park (1993), Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977) and Avatar (2009).
"This is a quick conceptual drawing done for Guillermo del Toro's film MIMIC. It was rendered in pencil on bright white copy paper." - TyRuben Ellingson
"These are some of the very first sketches done for the film MIMIC. They are done in pencil on bright white copy paper." - TyRuben Ellingson
"This is the final design of the creature for Guillermo del Toro's film MIMIC. It was rendered in pen and marker on assembled copy paper." -TyRuben Ellingson
Here's what the creatures looked like in the final film.
See more of TyRuben Ellingson's rocking portfolio at http://www.alieninsect.com/
Additional images via Monster Legacy.
Click on the links if you want to see more of TyRuben Ellingson's work or Mimic on my blog.
What do you think of the concept art? If you've seen Mimic what did you think?
Official Mimic Summary
This electrifying thriller features sexy Academy Award(R)-winner Mira Sorvino (ROMY AND MICHELE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION) and screen favorite Charles S. Dutton (A TIME TO KILL, ALIEN 3). A team of scientists discover a miracle cure that stops the spread of a deadly disease ... only to find three years later that something has gone terribly wrong! Their creation has taken on a horrifying life of its own ... able to mimic and destroy its every predator -- even man! And now, it threatens to wipe out an entire city ... unless they stop it in time! A stylish, acclaimed hit featuring riveting performances from a superb cast, MIMIC delivers heart-pounding thrills that never let up!
Directed by Guillermo del Toro
Cinematography by Dan Laustsen
Production Design by Carol Spier
Starring: Mira Sorvino, Jeremy Northam, Alexander Goodwin, Giancarlo Giannini, Charles S. Dutton
Release date: August 22, 1997
© Copyright 1997 Dimension Films, Miramax Films. All rights reserved
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