The highly anticipated new Hellboy film, “Hellboy: The Crooked Man,” has officially wrapped production, and the franchise’s creator, Mike Mignola, has shared his enthusiastic thoughts on the project. Mignola took to Instagram to express his excitement, stating that this adaptation is one of the most faithful interpretations of his work to date.
Although Mignola was not present on set during filming, he has been receiving daily updates and footage from the production team. He remarked, “If fans have been waiting for a Hellboy film that is actually an adaptation of one of my stories, I think they are finally going to get one.” His praise extends to director Brian Taylor and co-writer Chris Golden, who he credits for successfully balancing studio demands while remaining true to the essence of “The Crooked Man,” which he considers his favorite Hellboy story.
This positive feedback from Mignola is particularly noteworthy, especially considering his previous comments about earlier adaptations. Fans are hopeful that this new film will deliver a more authentic representation of the beloved comic series. Mignola and Golden collaborated on the screenplay, which is based on the comic of the same name. The story follows Hellboy as he teams up with a rookie BPRD agent named Tom Ferrell, finding themselves in the rural Appalachia of the 1950s. There, they encounter a small community plagued by witches, led by a local devil with a troubling connection to Hellboy’s past—the Crooked Man.
Mignola has emphasized that this adaptation will expand Hellboy’s universe through one of the most cherished issues of the comic series. Brian Taylor, known for his work on films like “Crank” and “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance,” is at the helm of this project. Mignola has expressed confidence in Taylor’s vision, stating, “His intention is to make a horror movie, so that’ll be nice. That’ll be interesting.”
In a recent discussion, Mignola revealed that he had read the latest draft of the screenplay and was pleased to find it firmly rooted in the horror genre. He noted, “It’s the first Hellboy script that I read and I went, ‘Oh, it’s a horror movie,’ which is what I wanted.” This marks a departure from previous adaptations, which, despite being helmed by horror directors, failed to capture the true essence of the genre.
For years, Mignola has advocated for a more intimate approach to Hellboy films, suggesting that the stories should be smaller in scale. He believes “The Crooked Man” is the perfect narrative for this, as it is a beautifully illustrated and solid story that does not rely on a multitude of characters. Mignola stated, “It’s not the Hellboy origin. It’s not Hellboy saving the world. It’s not huge. It’s a subtle, dark, little folk horror story.”
The film features a talented cast, including Jack Kesy as Hellboy, alongside Jefferson White, Adeline Rudolph, and Leah McNamara. Mignola shared his thoughts on Kesy, noting that while he has not met him in person, he has seen enough of his work to feel optimistic. “He certainly has the look. Everybody who has worked with him says he’s fantastic,” Mignola commented.
“Hellboy: The Crooked Man” is set to receive an R-rating, which has been a topic of discussion among the filmmakers. Taylor explained that the decision to pursue an R-rating is not merely for shock value but is essential to honor the dark and adult themes present in the original material. He stated, “This material is dark and scary and violent and adult. So in order to really embrace that, we just don’t wanna have any handcuffs on.”
As fans eagerly await the release of “Hellboy: The Crooked Man,” there is a palpable sense of excitement surrounding the project. With Mignola’s endorsement and the commitment to staying true to the source material, many are hopeful that this film will breathe new life into the franchise and deliver the authentic Hellboy experience that fans have long desired.
The anticipation for this adaptation is building, and it remains to be seen whether “Hellboy: The Crooked Man” will meet the high expectations set by its creator. As the film gears up for its release, fans are left wondering if this will be the Hellboy film they have been waiting for.
Source: Various sources
