Guillermo del Toro has toyed with returning to the Hellboy franchise ever since Hellboy 2: The Golden Army, but Ron Perlman‘s enormous heart seems to have inspired the busy director to take the idea of a third Hellyboy film seriously.
Both Comic Book Move and The Playlist are reporting that Perlman’s recent work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation has provided the push Del Toro needed to tackle a final Hellboy installment.
While speaking at Comic Con this weekend, Del Toro explained his rekindled motivation and drive to complete Hellboy’s finite story:
Del Toro says the event was also a factor in helping to bring himself and Perlman together on making a third Hellboy. “I’ve encountered a lot of kids who are fans of the movies,” said del Toro, “but to hear the story of this kid who was watching the movies while going through treatment, it really just moved me a lot.” The director stresses that he hasn’t yet approached Hellboy creator Mike Mignola on the prospect of a Hellboy III, nor is a studio signed on yet. But, he says, “We’re going to make an effort to do it. I hope it happens.”
“I can say publicly that now we are together in trying [to do ‘Hellboy 3‘].” And Perlman added “The [first] two movies were really set up to have this unbelievable resolve. Everything that was done in both movies was leading up to this destiny, written in stone, of what Hellboy has been summoned to Earth to do. To not do it, particularly in light of the scope that Guillermo is thinking of for the resolve, would be in my mind a little bit of a shame.”
God bless Ron Perlman for making one six-year old’s dream of meeting the hellish paranormal hunter a reality, as brave little Zachary reportedly watched Hellboy over 100 times while battling leukemia in the hospital. Teaming back up with special effects studio Spectral Motion, Perlman underwent the grueling 3 hour make-up application to once again embody Hellboy so the character could meet the youngster.
In a heartwarming display of charity, Zachary was given a tour of the Spectral Motion studio, got to meet his all time favorite movie character, and even got his own child sized Hellboy makeover.
Such an act speaks volumes to Perlman’s character, creating a childhood memory so monumental by putting a wall to wall grin on a struggling boy’s face. Your heart can’t help but melt looking at some of the pictures our duo snapped.
Del Toro’s biggest hurdle is going to be finding studio backing if Hellboy 3 is to be made though. Sony declined the first sequel after Hellboy took in less than $100 million worldwide, and Universal saw what should have been a summer blockbuster underperform when Hellboy 2: The Golden Army was released in 2008.
But imagine Zachary’s point of view for a second and let’s say Hellboy 3 actually is released. Not only has your wildest fantasy already come true, but your story provided the inspiration for a trilogy ending film that might have been passed on. Nothing short of magical childhood wonderment would have saved Hellboy.
For those of you who aren’t keen on the character, a final film would see either the end of Hellboy or the destruction of humanity. Hellboy’s destined to eventually bring the apocalypse upon mankind if alive long enough, but Red’s pregnant girlfriend Liz pleaded to save her lover’s life at the end of Hellboy 2: The Golden Army. Kind of a bleak ending to finish Hellboy 3 on, but Del Toro has left the franchise primed for an epic and emotional conclusion.
To all the Hellboy fans: If Hellboy 3 becomes a reality, you better start writing your thank you letters immediately. Without Zachary, who knows if Red would have ever been acknowledged cinematically again?
Based on the last two movies, does a Hellboy 3 get fans overly excited? Or should Del Toro focus on other projects like At The Mountains Of Madness instead?