Guillermo del Toro has emphatically declared that “absolutely no goddamn AI” was used in the upcoming 4K and 3D re-release of Pan’s Labyrinth. “It’s more expensive — I don’t care,” he said to applause at San Diego Comic-Con.

“What we’re protecting is the beauty and the redeeming power of art,” he elaborated. “It’s not about who gets the job. We are protecting a lineage of art. 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 for what?”

In celebration of its 20th anniversary, Pan’s Labyrinth has undergone a 4K restoration supervised by del Toro. The restoration had its world premiere at Cannes, where it famously earned the longest standing ovation in the film festival’s history when it screened in competition two decades ago. The film will return to theatres from October 9th.

The Mexican director also recalled how the crew was originally sceptical of the film’s infamous blend of historical drama and dark fantasy elements. “They would see a fawn come in in the middle of a civil war movie, and they would think, This fat guy is crazy,” he quipped.

Set in 1944 Francoist Spain in the wake of the Spanish Civil War, Pan’s Labyrinth follows a young girl named Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) who discovers a fantasy world within a military outpost. Also starring Doug Jones, Maribel Verdú and Sergi López, the film won three Academy Awards, for Makeup, Cinematography, and Art Direction (now titled Production Design).

Along with the re-release of Pan’s Labyrinth, this October will see the home video debut of the extended edition of Frankenstein, titled The Reborn Cut, with the film’s Criterion Collection release.