Ron Perlman calls Hellboy 3 ‘so epic’
Twenty years after the release of Hellboy II: The Golden Army, the question of a third installment—a reunion between the legendary Ron Perlman and Guillermo del Toro—has remained largely theoretical. Despite the potential for an epic cinematic conclusion, the path to making Hellboy 3 has been fraught with logistical and creative hurdles.
Yet, the desire to complete the story persists. While many assumed the possibility was dead, Perlman has firmly stated that he still advocates for the making of the third film, insisting that the original cinematic universe was meant to be a trilogy.
The initial struggles to realize the potential of the franchise have been significant. Following the release of The Golden Army, subsequent reboot attempts did not deliver the expected success. The franchise went through several transformations, including a reboot starring David Harbour in Hellboy: The Crooked Man, which, despite an R-rating and promise of epic action, proved to be a major commercial disappointment.
This history of commercial setbacks has only amplified the weight of the idea that a return to the source material would be a monumental undertaking. Del Toro had envisioned a sprawling, epic conclusion requiring an enormous budget, far exceeding the scope of the previous films.
Despite these challenges, Perlman remains dedicated to the vision. When pressed on pursuing the project, he firmly reiterated his commitment to finishing the narrative, viewing it not just as a sequel, but as a grand mythological adventure.
“I’ve said so much about this and pissed off enough people, but I’ll say it again for you: the original movies were meant to be a trilogy,” he explained. He noted that Hellboy II left off at a particularly awkward moment, and that the promise of Hellboy being summoned into existence to destroy the world had yet to be fully addressed.
Perlman’s vision for the third film goes beyond simple action; he envisions something truly grand. He described the potential for the trilogy to be an epic, akin to a Greek saga, delving into themes of hubris, hamartia, and destiny. At 76 years old, he believes that reuniting with del Toro would allow them to create an adventure of epic proportions.
Ultimately, the passion for completing the story shines through: “I’m not interested in doing any other version of Hellboy other than finishing the trilogy with Guillermo [del Toro]. It would be so epic. Like a Greek epic. Hubris, hamartia, destiny, nature vs. nurture, it would be such an adventure. I’m 76 now, and if he comes to me and I’m 86, we’ll still do the motherf*cker,” he concluded.
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