It might not be the much-hyped and highly-anticipated Hellboy 3 that Guillermo del Toro had promised fans was in the works in some way, shape, or form for a long time, but another Hellboy movie is indeed on the way. The comic’s creator Mike Mignola broke the news on Facebook, with some updated details about what the project might look like.
Rather than a direct sequel to the two existing films in the series, the reboot will instead be an R-rated project directed by Neil Marshall (best known for movies like The Descent as well as episodes of Game of Thrones, Hannibal, and Westworld) and starring David Harbour from the Netflix hit Stranger Things.
Back in February, Guillermo del Toro broke the unfortunate news that the third installment in the series just wasn’t to be, but followed it up with some clarifications that just because he wouldn’t be shepherding it to the screen himself that didn’t mean all hope was lost. Mignola chimed in with the same sentiment.
Hellboy 3 Sorry to report: Spoke w all parties. Must report that 100% the sequel will not happen. And that is to be the final thing about it
— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) February 21, 2017
Hellboy may move into a different direction. I tried & wanted this- but, not up to me. I, for one, wish everyone involved the best of luck! https://t.co/mnHQcABI4l
— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) February 22, 2017
No GDT Hellboy 3 does not mean there is no future to the Hellboy franchise…#hellboy
— Mike Mignola (@artofmmignola) February 21, 2017
So now it’s come to pass that this will be a reboot instead of a sequel, and starring an actor who fits the mold of Hellboy and should do great in the role. Harbour is one of those actors that has been around forever but never really broke out in a big way before Stranger Things and now it looks like everyone’s prediction that even bigger things were on the way for him after that success was an accurate one.
Fan reactions weren’t unanimously positive, which could be expected, but even the unsure fans found silver linings about the new project announcement.
https://twitter.com/DarkDarrenA/status/861755418997125120
Neil Marshall could be a good fit for Hellboy. Also, the first HELLBOY is kinda lousy, and why not have a new take on the character.
— Zack Handlen (@zhandlen) May 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/MeltdownValley/status/861755240982380545
Of course I wanted Hellboy 3 with del Toro and Perlman, but Hellboy with Neil Marshall and David Harbour doesn't sound too shabby either.
— Jonas Lefkowitch (@JonasLeft) May 9, 2017
Torn on this Hellboy reboot news. On one hand, it's about time we got another feature film from Neil Marshall.
— John Portanova (@October_John) May 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/latinalkinney/status/861754922525532160
YES! Hated the silliness of the previous films. Give me dark, stylized, violent Hellboy! https://t.co/V21P7AStVK
— sEAsTACKER (@theseastacker) May 9, 2017
Well atleast we get more Hellboy. I'm sure Ron doesn't mind. https://t.co/dmdbn0ohMq
— Maybe: Will Smith (Banned from X?) (@bestever23) May 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/innerdialogue20/status/861754747333881856
oh man, mixed feelings about Hellboy reboot. Very exciting news… yet still sad that Hellboy 3 never happened.
— Edmund Kempburger (@DonQuixoteFace) May 9, 2017