New ‘Hellboy’ Movie in the Works

‘Hellboy’ comics creator Mike Mignola has written the script alongside Christopher Golden, but the casting of the title character is a mystery for now.

David Harbour as Hellboy in 2019's 'Hellboy.'

Back in 2019, we got the latest attempt to bring Mike Mignola’s ‘Hellboy’ comics to theaters. The character, a demonic creature who has been recruited to help the fight against evil––and who boasts both a snappy wit and a giant red fist in addition to his red, rocky appearance––was played there by ‘Stranger Things’ David Harbour, with Neil Marshall, the British director behind ‘The Descent’ and ‘Doomsday’ overseeing the movie.

Unfortunately for all involved, it only made $55 million globally at the box office on a $50 million budget, which appeared to scupper Millennium Films’ plan for a new franchise based on the character.

Undaunted, the company is trying again, putting together a new movie with some different players behind the scenes, according to a report from Discussing Film, which has since been confirmed by Deadline.

Hellboy: The Crooked Man

Not Yet Rated

Hellboy and a rookie BPRD agent get stranded in 1950s rural Appalachia. There, they discover a small community haunted by witches, led by a local devil with a troubling... Read the Plot

What is the next ‘Hellboy’ movie?

The new film has comic book creator Mike Mignola writing the script for the first time (he contributed the story to the 2004 Guillermo del Toro version––more on that down below), along with Christopher Golden, who works on the comics at Dark Horse with him. They’ve adapted comics run ‘The Crooked Man’ for the screenplay.

The new film will see Hellboy and a rookie BPRD agent stranded in 1950s rural Appalachia. There, they discover a small community haunted by witches, led by a local devil with a troubling connection to Hellboy’s past: the Crooked Man.

In the comic, The Crooked Man was an eighteenth-century miser and war profiteer named Jeremiah Witkins who was hanged for his crimes yet returned from Hell as the region’s resident Devil.

And in the director’s chair this time? Brian Taylor, who along with regular collaborator Mark Neveldine, has made the likes of ‘Crank’ and its sequel, plus ‘Mom and Dad’ which he directed solo. He also has comic book adaptation experience thanks to ‘Jonah Hex’ and ‘Ghost Rider’ sequel’ Spirit of Vengeance’.

Shooting is reportedly scheduled to kick off in Bulgaria next month, but nothing has been released as to who will play the main character.

“‘The Crooked Man’ is a departure from all previous Hellboy films where Mike Mignola and the creator of the comics will finally shepherd an authentic version of his stories and characters in film form,” said Millennium Media’s President Jeffrey Greenstein. “This is the first in the series of films that will captivate audiences in familiar (and new) ways. Brian Taylor is an expert across the board, and I couldn’t think of a better person to bring this story to life to show our audience this different and original Hellboy slate of films.”

Writer/director Guillermo del Toro holds Hellboy's revolver on the set of 'Hellboy II: The Golden Army.'

What’s happening with Guillermo del Toro’s version?

Unfortunately for fans of Guillermo del Toro’s two ‘Hellboy’ movies, which were released in 2004 and 2008 respectively, the latest development means we may never get to see the director’s third film, which he’d planned to wrap up a trilogy.

Del Toro has also moved on to many other projects, including the likes of the Oscar-nominated ‘Pinocchio’ from this year, so we can at least look forward to plenty of films from him, even if that third ‘Hellboy’ remains strictly on wish lists for now.