Summary
As the franchise gears up to return with a second reboot, Neil Marshall reflects on 2019’sHellboyand its recent Netflix success. The previous reboot saw David Harbour take over the titular role from Ron Perlman in Guillermo del Toro’s acclaimed first two movies, teaming up with a powerful young medium and hot-headed B.P.R.D. agent to take down a British sorceress from the Dark Ages revived by a pig-like fairy. While the practical make-up and Harbour’s performance scored some positive reception,Hellboywas a critical and commercial failureon release, barely recouping its $50 million production budget.
During a recent interview withScreen Rantfor his upcoming crime thrillerDuchess, Marshall was asked aboutHellboy’s recent surge in popularity on Netflix, including landing on the streamer’s Top 10 in March. The director humorously affirmed thatthe 2019 reboot will “never be my favorite film” of his, and admits to having trouble disassociating his difficult behind-the-scenes experience from the belated following its finding, but is glad there are people who are enjoying it. See what Marshall shared below:
I have seen the trailer, but I think it would be be unfair of me to pass any kind of comments on somebody else’s version of Hellboy at this stage, given all the s–t that I got for it. [Laughs] I think it’s great that it’s finding an audience, that my one is finding an audience now. I was in Spain last weekend for a film festival, and they screened Hellboy there in Spanish, and the audience loved it. I had lots of people coming up and saying they wanted my autograph and signing Hellboy stuff. So, I guess it’s building a fan base over time. It’ll never be my favorite film of my body of work, but I’m glad that people like it, for sure. I mean, as a filmmaker, it’s difficult to disassociate the experience of making it with the finished product. But, you know, if people see the finished product and take it at face value, and they enjoy it, great for them. I’m very happy.
How Hellboy: The Crooked Man Can Learn From The 2019 Reboot’s Missteps
Marshall isn’t the only creative involved withthe 2019Hellboyrebootwho has candidly reflected on making the movie, with Harbour also frequently lamenting his experience with the project. In addition to humorously stating he looks at a framed photo of his character to keep him humble,Harbour has also described his Marvel Cinematic Universe role of Red Guardian as something of a “palate cleanser”. The star even recalled reaching out to Ryan Reynolds for advice, given the actor also went through a similar situation onGreen Lanternbefore finding success with theDeadpoolmovies.
5 Reasons Hellboy: The Crooked Man Will Be Better Than The 2019 Reboot
After 2019’s Hellboy failed commercially, the franchise is getting rebooted once again, but a few details hint that it could be much better.
In the wake of its poor performance, a new incarnation of the iconic franchise is in development withHellboy: The Crooked Man, a second reboot with creator Mike Mignola onboard as both a co-writer and executive producer. Despite the 2019 movie’s missteps, though,there are a number of thingsThe Crooked Mancan take away from itto put the series back on track. One of the biggest is the R-rated tone, which many reviewers felt to be a bold enough swing to set it apart from del Toro’s movies.
The other key lessonThe Crooked Manshould take away from 2019’sHellboyis its focus on practical designs for the majority of its supernatural creatures. Del Toro took a similar approach to his adaptations, something he’s done throughout his filmography, though Marshall’s movie felt like it nicely established its own tone and world with its haunting designs for the likes of Baba Yaga and others. WithHellboy: The Crooked Mantaking a more groundedand horror-driven approachthan prior installments, it would be appropriate for co-writer/director Brian Taylor to capitalize with both an R-rated tone and practical effects to create its titular antagonist and other threats.
Hellboy
Cast
Hellboy (2019) is a reboot of the cinematic series based on Mike Mignola’s graphic novels. Directed by Neil Marshall, the film stars David Harbour as Hellboy, a half-demon raised by humans, who must thwart an ancient sorceress threatening humanity. Milla Jovovich portrays the villainous sorceress, while Ian McShane and Daniel Dae Kim round out the supporting cast. The film strives to blend dark folklore with action elements.
