David Harbour calls Hellboy a “monster movie that’s dark and scary”

Just like every other HELLBOY enthusiast, I'm damn curious about Neil Marshall's forthcoming film featuring the big, red pancake-loving galoot. I used to be of the mind that no one could hope to recreate the chemistry shared between director Guillermo del Toro and actor Ron Perlman, when "Big Red" made his theatrical debut in 2004. However, with every image or bit of information that surfaces regarding Marshall's reboot featuring David Harbour as Hellboy, I can't help but find myself intrigued.

Recently, David Harbour took part in a discussion at the Variety Studio at the Dubai International Film Festival, and detailed his thoughts about the challenges of portraying one of independent comics' most iconic heroes.

“It’s the most physical role I’ve ever played,” Harbour said. “The stunts are incredible, and the action is really incredible, and I’m way too old to be doing that stuff.”

Harbour also spoke on the maddening task of transforming into Hellboy, a process that can take up to several hours to achieve. “It’s two to two-and-a-half hours in a chair every morning being painted red with all these prosthetics,” David said.

Later in the interview, Harbour spoke about his history with the character, who David began reading when he was in his 20s. According to the report, Harbour saw Hellboy as something of mythological figure, like a champion of ancient Greece. While the Gods had figures such as Agamemnon, Achilles, and Cressida, modern American comics raised up heroes such as Superman, Captain America, and Spider-Man. “They are mythos, so I wanted to be involved in that conversation,” said Harbour about lending his fandom to the role.

During the event, David also spoke about how he was attracted to Marshall's dark tone for the film, and plans to reboot the character as something more imposing than seen in the 2004 incarnation. “These movies have been of a certain brand,” Harbour said. “With ‘Deadpool’ and ‘Logan,’ they are trying to do different things. So we are trying to do our own brand of that.”  Harbour ended his session by adding, “I was really excited by that concept — to make a real monster movie that’s dark and scary and about the end of the world.”

I can't believe that we've got to wait until January 11th, 2019 to see this movie! Hmm … perhaps if I can find a decent crossroads, along a lone and lonesome road, I can see a man about a soul and get this film released early? I'll look into that. Meanwhile, let us know what you think of Neil Marshall and David Harbour's HELLBOY in the comments section below.