Here’s a strange story, but I can’t help but applaud the candor. David Harbour is your new Hellboy, taking over for Ron Perlman, who starred as the title character in two of Guillermo del Toro’s films. Harbour was instantly well-received, at least here on Bloody Disgusting, so it comes as a surprise that a handful of his friends advised him to avoid taking the prominent role.
“I was approached by some very prominent nerds who I know very well, and I respect their opinions because they’re friends of mine, who were like, ‘Dude, step away from the Hellboy. Step away,’ ” he recalled to Heat Vision. Thankfully, he took on the challenge and looks absolutely fantastic in character.
“This was something that I couldn’t pass up because I love those [Mike] Mignola comics,” he added, speaking to why it was a role he couldn’t possibly turn down. “And the mythos we are in now, I feel like two strains are running. They are making these kind of popcorn-y, somewhat two-dimensional comic book movies and then there is this strain like Logan and Deadpool. That is what I am drawn to in the genre. I would love to do a Hellboy where you love him, but you’re also not quite sure about him.”
Harbour explained that his Hellboy will be a unique take, which means fans will hopefully like both versions of the character.
“I can like Michael Keaton’s Batman and I can like Christian Bale’s Batman,” Harbour said. “I can like Jack Nicolson’s Joker and I can like Heath Ledger’s Joker. There’s other Jokers I don’t have to like, ” the Suicide Squad actor quipped, presumably throwing shade at Jared Leto’s Joker.
While he speaks positively about the role, we’ve heard through our channels that it was actually a difficult production that left both Harbour and director Neil Marshall with a sour taste in their mouths. No matter, with his epic cast of costars that include Milla Jovovich as the Blood Queen, as well as Ian McShane, Daniel Dae Kim and Penelope Mitchell, it’s hard not to be excited for this Hellboy reboot Lionsgate will release in theaters on Jan. 11, 2019.
