Hellboymight get another stab at cinema. Following the underperformance of David Harbour’sHellboy,a new adaptation is reportedly in the works.
Hellboyis based on the comic series of the same name, created by Mike Mignola. Hellboy, the main character of the series, is a demon named Anung Un Rama, who was intended to destroy the world and allow the forces of Hell to conquer the Earth. Luckily for humanity, Hellboy ends up being raised as a hero by humanity (though he can’t escape his destiny). The series and its shared universe have run for over two decades, witha newHellboygame,Web of Wyrd,in the works.
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According toDiscussing Film, Millennium Media is behind theHellboyreboot. They’ve reportedly chosen Brian Taylor to direct. Mignola and horror/fantasy author Christopher Golden (who has previously written three canonHellboynovels) are set to receive a story credit. However, it’s unclear whether or not they will be contributing to the screenplay. Filming is set to start in April. The story is reportedly an adaptation of “The Crooked Man,” about Hellboy battling a folkloric villain in the Appalachian mountains.
A reboot starring Harbour came out in 2019, but it received largely negative reviews and underperformed at the box office. Harbour has discussed his negative feelings towards the film, admitting tocalling Ryan Reynolds for advice onHellboybombing. That film was based onHellboy’s “The Hunt” and “The Storm and the Fury” arcs.
More famously, the character was adapted for film inGuillermo del Toro’sHellboyin 2004. Though that adaptation featured some key differences, it was received far more warmly by the fanbase, being regarded as a cult classic today. Fans have been clamoring for a third film in the series for years, but given how long it’s been and the fact that there will soon be two reboots, it is unlikely that a sequel film will move forward.
Ron Pearlman,who played Hellboy in these films, has stated he isn’t eager to reprise the character but feelsHellboyfans are owed a conclusion. Still, it looks likeHellboy: The Crooked Manwill be a fresh take on the character. While it won’t be the long-awaited conclusion to del Toro’s take on the story, it still stands an excellent chance. “The Crooked Man” is one ofHellboy’s most liked arcs. Not only does the story feature action, horror, and suspense, it delivers a poignant story that’s primed to be adapted for the screen.
