Can we just take a minute to take a look at the HELLBOY movies—the series-that-Christmas-forgot of the comic book movie world. The series to this day stands out for its practical effects, stunning makeup, and the career-defining work of Ron Perlman as the big red hero. Sadly, the movies never really took off at the box office like the studio wanted, and seeing as how it’s been eight years since THE GOLDEN ARMY, the chances of a third movie are similar to the current state of Osama bin Laden—dead in the water.
During an interview with Screen Rant, Perlman (who has been trying to get a third HELLBOY movie made for years) confirmed many of the fans’ nightmares by giving a blunt, disheartening update on the much-desired threequel:
“We don’t talk about that anymore. Because he’s busy, and I’m busy. Maybe one day he’s going to call and say, ‘Hey, let’s do it.’ But for right now? We’re happy discovering new worlds to conquer.”
It’s okay to start crying. I’ll give you a moment. Here’s a tissue.
Okay then, let’s pick ourselves up and get through this. As saddening as Perlman’s words are they’re hard to deny. Director Guillermo del Toro has almost famously bitten off more than he can chew in recent years, taking on projects like PACIFIC RIM, THE HOBBIT series, CRIMSON PEAK, THE STRAIN on FX, a new animated series TROLLHUNTER for Netflix, another PACIFIC RIM, with plenty more irons in the fire. Perlman has kept busy himself in a litany of film projects, and as time as gone on it seems he has reluctantly embraced the end. He even spoke to Variety earlier this year saying that another movie will “probably never happen,” but still had a glimmer in hope following up with “you never say never never.”
Who knows, maybe Perlman still has hope a third movie will happen, but from the sounds of that first sentence in the first quote another HELLBOY movie is basically the drunk sibling that doesn’t get invited to Thanksgiving anymore. Talking about it doesn’t do any good because the situation probably won’t improve, so he and Toro will most likely just focus on whatever they have going on now. I for one am subscribing to the “never say never” camp. I mean, if Harrison Ford is still game to don the Indy hat at his age I’m sure Perlman can don the horns.
Until the fate of HELLBOY is more firm, you can see Perlman in del Toro's upcoming TROLLHUNTERS series and FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM on November 18, and be sure to check out the time our own Jimmy O met the Hellboy all those years ago.