It’s no secret that The Shape of Water is essentially Guillmero del Toro‘s own take on Creature from the Black Lagoon, but did you know that Del Toro was at one point attached to an actual reboot of the classic Universal Monsters movie? Furthermore, did you know that he was once offered the reigns to their entire “Dark Universe”?!

Long before the “Dark Universe” was even called the “Dark Universe,” Universal approached Del Toro to be the creative architect of the rebooted universe.

Sadly, he passed.

Speaking with TimesTalks, Del Toro revealed that it’s his one true regret.

“I’ve said no to things that are enormous and I’ve never looked back. The only time I repent I didn’t do something was in 2007, when Universal in an incredibly gentle and beautiful manner said, ‘do you want to take over the Monster Universe?,'” Del Toro recalled. “And they gave me the reins of several properties, and I didn’t do it. That I repent. So this is a confessional moment, I repent. That’s the only thing.”

Del Toro may regret not taking Universal up on their offer, but it seems like his decision has worked out in his favor. While Del Toro is experiencing critical acclaim, Oscar buzz and very likely financial success with The Shape of Water, Universal has had zero luck getting their “Dark Universe” off the ground. After the financial failure of The Mummy this year, it looks like the “Dark Universe” may officially be dead. Go figure.

It seems the “Dark Universe” very much needed Guillermo del Toro. But Guillermo del Toro, well, maybe he’s better off not being involved in Universal’s grand plans.