Guillermo del Toro says “no goddamn AI” will be used in 3D re-release of Pan’s Labyrinth, as Oct. 9 theater run nears

Guillermo del Toro used his San Diego Comic-Con Hall H appearance on Friday to lay out how his team plans to bring Pan’s Labyrinth back to theaters in a 3D re-release, stressing that the process will not involve AI. At the panel marking the film’s 20-year milestone, del Toro said he would use “absolutely no goddamn AI” for the new 3D version, adding that the work would follow restoration techniques he described as “tried-and-true.”

The director’s comments came as del Toro revisited a title that has remained a cornerstone of his filmography since its original debut. Deadline reported that the 3D re-release is set to premiere in theaters on Oct. 9, with the Comic-Con panel functioning as a public-facing checkpoint for audiences tracking the long-awaited return.

In discussing the re-release, del Toro framed the decision as a practical choice about the technology used in film restoration and re-presentation, rather than a general statement about broader industry practices. Deadline said del Toro “reinforced his stance” on avoiding AI during the production process for the new 3D run, indicating the position was consistent with his earlier public statements about film work and effects creation.

The panel took place in Hall H, Comic-Con’s largest main stage, where major studio and filmmaker announcements typically draw wide media attention. For del Toro, the event also served as a platform to confirm timing and to respond directly to the kinds of production-method questions that increasingly accompany modern restorations, including how color, detail, and spatial presentation can be updated for new exhibition formats.

Pan’s Labyrinth, which del Toro directed, is known for its blend of fantasy storytelling and historical atmosphere. The 20-year anniversary has prompted renewed interest in its availability and formats, with the upcoming 3D theater run positioning the film for a fresh cinema audience while also giving longtime viewers another way to experience the movie on the big screen.

While del Toro’s remarks were focused on the absence of AI, the reported announcement did not include additional technical specifications about the exact restoration workflow beyond the general description of “tried-and-true” techniques. The Oct. 9 theatrical date, however, offers a concrete next step for consumers, including those who may be deciding whether to see the re-release in theaters rather than waiting for later home distribution.

For the film industry, the director’s statement underscored how questions about AI use in visual media are increasingly reaching mainstream creative events and major public milestones. With the 3D re-release approaching, the key practical development for audiences is the theater premiere date itself, and for studios and exhibition partners, it is the assurance that at least one high-profile director-led restoration will be marketed around a specific production standard.