Ron Perlman has once again brought up one of the most recurring topics among cult cinema fans: the possibility of concluding the Hellboy trilogy he started with Guillermo del Toro. His statements, reported by Deadline, have reignited the conversation at a time when subsequent versions of the character have failed to replicate the impact of the original films.
The 76-year-old actor was the first to play the character created by Mike Mignola in live-action, under Del Toro's direction in the 2004 and 2008 films. Although he had previously considered that chapter closed, his most recent words show that the idea of returning to the character remains valid for him.
A trilogy that remained unfinished
Perlman was emphatic in recalling that the original project was never intended as a story closed in two installments. As he explained, "Hellboy II" ended with open plot threads that, at the time, were meant to be resolved in a third film.
Among those loose ends, he mentioned the pregnancy with twins of the character Liz Sherman, played by Selma Blair, and the prophecy that pointed to Hellboy as a figure destined to unleash the end of the world. For the actor, that pending conclusion is the only one that would justify a return to the role.
Perlman was clear in ruling out any other alternative: he is not interested in a new Hellboy that is not the conclusion of the story started with Del Toro. He even joked about the possibility of shooting the film later on, regardless of how old he might be by then.
Are there conversations with Del Toro?
When asked if he has spoken recently with the Mexican director about this possible return, Perlman chose not to reveal details and responded briefly, without confirming or ruling out recent contact between the two.
Guillermo del Toro’s schedule and Mike Mignola’s perspective
Perlman's interest clashes, at least for now, with the busy schedule of Guillermo del Toro, who in recent months has focused his work on his adaptation of Frankenstein. That workload fuels doubts about how realistic it is, in the immediate future, to resume the Hellboy saga.
The comic's creator himself, Mike Mignola, referred in an interview with Screen Rant to his current relationship with the filmmaker after their years of working together on the two films. Mignola described that period with affection, but acknowledged that, as time passed, each followed different paths within the industry.
According to his words, the intensity of the shared shoots did not translate into a constant friendship once the work was finished, although he assured that they still maintain occasional contact via messages or emails.
The ending that was never filmed
The third film originally proposed by Del Toro was going to delve into Hellboy's destiny as the prophesied incarnation of the Apocalypse, known in the comics as Anung Un Rama. That plot sought to confront the character with his own nature, balancing his role as a hero with the threat he represented to the world.
Added to that conflict was the hinted parenthood following Liz Sherman's pregnancy, an element that would have added an additional emotional layer to the saga's climax. For many fans, that combination of destiny, identity, and family ties made the project a sort of classic tragedy, with a tone different from conventional superhero cinema.
The legacy of the original films
The first two installments of Hellboy earned a special place in dark fantasy cinema thanks to the use of practical effects and prosthetic makeup, at a time when CGI already dominated a good part of big-budget productions. That artisanal approach, a hallmark of Guillermo del Toro, contributed to the saga maintaining a cult status years after its release.
Meanwhile, the real viability of a third film continues to depend on factors beyond the control of its protagonists, such as studio decisions and Del Toro's availability. But Ron Perlman's insistence keeps the door open for the story that has been pending since 2008 to finally reach the screen one day.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Ron Perlman?
Ron Perlman is 76 years old, according to his own recent statements to Deadline.
Why does Ron Perlman want to return as Hellboy?
Because he believes the first two films left unresolved plot threads, such as the character's apocalyptic destiny and Liz Sherman's pregnancy, which were originally intended for a third installment.
Did Guillermo del Toro confirm a third Hellboy film?
No. Perlman avoided confirming whether there are recent conversations with the director, and Del Toro's current schedule, focused on his adaptation of Frankenstein, raises doubts about the project's immediate viability.
What is the current relationship between Mike Mignola and Guillermo del Toro?
According to Mignola, they maintain occasional contact via messages or emails, although he acknowledges that their professional paths have drifted apart over the years.
What would the third Hellboy film be about?
It would explore Hellboy's destiny as the apocalyptic prophecy known as Anung Un Rama, along with the consequences of Liz Sherman's pregnancy, thus closing the trilogy started in 2004.
