Can Hellboy Succeed Without Ron Perlman?

Hellboy (Ron Perlman) and Abe Sapien (Doug Jones) in HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY (photo via Universal)

Luke Goss (Prince Nuada) and Ron Perlman (Hellboy) in HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY (photo via Universal)

A third Hellboy movie is in negotiations, but without star Ron Perlman or director Guillermo del Toro. Given how popular both are with fans, can Hellboy 3 succeed without them?

The Hollywood Reporter said “Millennium is in negotiations with producers Larry Gordon and Lloyd Levin for a new installment that would reboot and relaunch the property. Mike Richardson of Dark Horse Entertainment is also producing.” According to Geek.com, the new film will be a reboot, not a sequel. Like Deadpool and Logan, Hellboy: The Rise of the Blood Queen (working title) will be rated R.

Both Ron Perlman and Guillermo del Toro have long expressed interest in making a third film in the series, but del Toro wanted a bigger budget than the studios were willing to give him. Perlman admitted that at 67, he probably only had one more Hellboy movie in him. It takes four hours to put on the make-up for the character. He told ScreenRant that it’s a “pain in the ass to put that make-up on and take it off.”

The movie will be directed by Neil Marshall rather than Guillermo del Toro. Marshall previously directed the horror movie The Descent, as well as episodes of Game of Thrones, Constantine, and Black Sails. Early reports said the script will be written by Andrew Cosby, Christopher Golden, and Hellboy creator Mike Mignola. Updated but unconfirmed information claims that Marshall and  writer/producer Aron Coleite, who wrote ten episodes of Heroes, will be collaborating on the script.

David Harbour as Gordon Shanklin in PARKLAND (photo by Claire Folger via Walleye Productions)

David Harbour as Jim Hopper in STRANGER THINGS (photo by Curtis Baker via Netflix)

Tony-nominee David Harbour is rumored to be in talks to replace Ron Perlman as in the title role. Harbour currently plays Jim Hopper in the Netflix series Stranger Things. He also played CIA Agent Gregg Beam in the James Bond film Quantum of Solace, government official Dexter Tolliver in Suicide Squad, and District Attorney Scanlon in The Green Hornet.

Are you looking forward to the reboot? Do you think it can succeed without Ron Perlman starring as Hellboy and Guillermo del Toro in the director’s chair? Tell us what you think in the comments section below.

-30-

Susan Macdonald

Susan Macdonald is the author of the children’s book “R is for Renaissance Faire”, as well as 26 short stories, mostly fantasy in “Alternative Truths”, “Swords and Sorceress #30”, Swords &Sorceries Vols. 1, 2, & 5, “Cat Tails” “Under Western Stars”, and “Knee-High Drummond and the Durango Kid”. Her articles have appeared on SCIFI.radio’s web site, in The Inquisitr, and in The Millington Star. She enjoys Renaissance Faires (see book above), science fiction conventions,  Highland Games, and Native American pow-wows.